This is a fascinating subject that has already come up multiple times in my conversations with teachers - just this week!
I really appreciate the positive approach both of these writers (Heitin & The Bearded Teacher) take to technology, because I have heard many people reacting negatively to the increasing amount of technology in the classroom. I think that the benefits of technology in the classroom outweigh these difficulties, but I don't think that this lessens the importance of addressing and acknowledging the classroom management issues.
Although I know that this is difficult, I would feel much better in a 1:1 classroom with something like Hapara, as mentioned by Heitin, enabling me to view my students' screens. I think with iPads this would be less necessary (as mentioned by Heitin) because it's easier to see the screens with a quick walk around the room, but I think it would be very important in a classroom with laptops.
The other technique that I really appreciated in both pieces was the emphasis on student responsibility. I think this is important for classroom management in general, but particularly in this medium that is so comfortable and familiar to many students outside of school. It is crucial to remind students of the differences between how they can interact with technology in school and at home. However, I agree with both writers that students interact with technology more professionally, and are more accountable for their actions and choices, when they are entrusted with responsibility.
On a related note, while I do think that not having cell phones in the classroom can be easier for classroom management, I agree with The Bearded Teacher's approach for when there is technology in the classroom. If there is technology in the classroom, I think students should be able to use it to its fullest. Why stop students from using Instagram? Instead, students should be allowed to use it, while also using it for educational purposes. Again - making students accountable is key.
Excellent insight. I agree that it seems wasteful to ban students from using technologies altogether because mobile devices are such powerful learning tools. I also agree that student responsibility and accountability are two critical pieces for any teacher's technology integration strategy. Do you worry that allowing students to use their devices would lead to a loss of control as a teacher?
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