Today was a professional day at our school. However, as with most meetings at school I am often stunned by the number of colleagues who are engrossed in other things. Laptop screens were up and cell phones were being used to send text messages. That said, I can only imagine how those individuals would react if their students behaved in a similar manner while they were giving a presentation.
Am I guilty of this behavior? Absolutely. But before I could start tapping away at the keyboard today, our MS Head, Phil Spears, did something that caught not only my attention but the attention of the entire division. Prior to his presentation, he asked the faculty for some tech free time and he requested that we lower the lids of our laptops. That was it! Phil modeled effective classroom management albeit with his teachers. He had our attention and we were all better for it.
So is it the technology's fault? Hardly, it is an exercise in self control, restraint, and ultimately respect.
Ok class, lids down!
