Unit Test

Although my students are encouraged to use use their iPads for homework assignments, in class activities and many other applications, I do not allow them to be used during tests.  This is an element of my classroom management that I have wrestled with over the past two years.  Although I want to make sure that my students are prepared with 21st Century tools, and I do not want to hide these things from them,  I also want to ensure that they can function in an environment with the absence of technology.  I am very open with them in my explanation about this.  I avoid telling the class that I do not let them use the technology for fear that they will cheat (although that might be a very small part of it)... Hitting the kids with this argument does nothing more that show a lack of trust in them; which can kill a classroom culture built on trust, respect, and responsibility.  Instead, I refer the students to SAT, ACT, PARCC and other standardized tests where the use of iPads and smart phones are strictly prohibited.