It is no secret that in today’s digital age, K12 classrooms are buzzing with technology. But with this influx of devices and online resources, educators face a new challenge:

“How do they effectively manage the classroom environment while embracing the potential of technology?”

Luckily we have classroom management software.

A powerful tool designed to help educators regain control, enhance student engagement, and foster a more productive learning atmosphere in classrooms. In this article, we’ll delve into what classroom management software is, its essential features, and how it can transform your school.

What is Classroom Management Software and Why Is It Essential?

Classroom management software is a suite of digital tools that enable teachers to monitor and manage student devices in real time. This software provides teachers with the ability to limit distractions by blocking specific websites and apps, ensuring students stay on task and engage with the lesson.

With the ability to monitor student screens, teachers can guide students back to the task at hand if they notice off-task behaviour. Classroom management software also enables teachers to share content, assignments, and resources with students seamlessly, creating a more interactive and dynamic learning environment.

Additionally, it allows for tracking student progress, helping teachers identify areas where additional support may be needed to ensure every student reaches their full potential.

Key Features of Effective Classroom Management Software

Device Monitoring and Control

The fundamental to modern classroom management software is to empower teachers with real-time oversight, device monitoring and control features.
Screen monitoring allows teachers to discreetly view student screens, ensuring they are engaged in the assigned tasks and not wandering off to unrelated websites or applications.

Remote control takes this a step further, giving teachers the ability to lock screens, close distracting tabs, or even redirect students to specific websites or resources.
These features are invaluable for maintaining focus and minimising distractions, especially in technology-rich classrooms. Mobile Guardian’s Learn Solution offers classroom management software that provides teachers with all these tools to easily manage and structure lessons in a remote or physical classroom.

Website and App Filtering

Creating a safe and focused digital learning environment is paramount, and website and app filtering features play a crucial role in achieving this goal.
Mobile Guardian’s Safer Solution offers content filtering that enables schools to block access to inappropriate websites, social media platforms, and other distracting online content.

Additionally, there are scheduling features that allow for granular control, restricting access to certain websites or apps during specific times of day, such as during specific class hours, allowing students access to different content suitable for the lesson at hand.

This not only minimises distractions but also helps protect students from harmful or inappropriate online content. All in all Mobile Guardian offers comprehensive filtering capabilities to safeguard students and promote a productive learning atmosphere.

Content Sharing and Collaboration

With access to classroom management software like Learn by Mobile Guardian, educators can foster collaboration and communication with their students through content sharing and interactive tools.

File-sharing features enable teachers to easily distribute documents, presentations, and other resources to students, streamlining the exchange of information for smooth learning experiences.

Additionally, with collaborative tools within classroom management software and functionality within Google Workspace for Education and Apple School Manager, students are empowered to engage with their school work in new ways.

Furthermore, functionality such as chat and commenting, encourage student interaction, teamwork, and active participation. Of course, there’s always the means to have a conversation in class or use Google Meet and FaceTime to clear up any confusion directly.

Google Meet for example has a Transcripts Activity that automatically creates a transcript from the call using the closed captions generated. However, note that Meeting Transcripts are automatically off for Google Workspace for Education student licence and will have to be activated. Other standout AI tools for K-12 like Evernote and Otter.ai can help students capture and organise information from lessons, meetings, or readings.

These features transform the traditional classroom into a dynamic learning space where students can learn from each other and engage in meaningful discussions both online, via the internet, and face to face.

Parent and Guardian Communication

Engaged parents and guardians play a vital role in student success. Through encouragement and openness towards learning, to assisting them to develop critical thinking skills and commitment to learning.

Classroom management software further helps to bridge the gap between learning at school and at home. Mobile Guardian’s Linked Parental Controls provide parents with digital tools to ensure that mobile devices are used in line with family values outside of school hours.

Parental Controls offers online safety features after school hours that allow parents to block apps, limit screen time, and set up location alerts.

Parents are able to track devices in real time and know where they are at all times. For example, parents may set up alerts to be notified when their child arrives at school.

Additionally, Geofencing may be used to manage how children use their mobile devices relative to their location. Parents can restrict device functionality, like the camera and Wifi hotspot, depending on their child’s location.

By leveraging the diverse features available through modern classroom management software, teachers and parents can create engaging, productive, and safe learning environments that empower students to not only reach their full potential but to enjoy their learning experiences too.

Addressing Common Challenges in Modern Classrooms

Despite the possibilities that EdTech offers in the modern classroom, there are a number of challenges that ought to be considered and addressed to help students learn to the best of their abilities.

Addressing the Concern of Student Engagement

In the age of digital distractions, capturing and maintaining student engagement is a persistent challenge for educators.

Classroom management software, however, may be used seamlessly alongside an array of innovative solutions that help to spark students’ interest and foster active participation.

Features like gamified learning turn lessons into interactive games, complete with points, levels, and rewards, making the learning process more enjoyable and motivating.

Platforms Kahoot! and Classcraft utilise gamification to create an immersive and competitive learning environment. Additionally, interactive displays like the ones from Promethean, and SMART Boards allow for dynamic presentations, collaborative activities, and hands-on learning experiences, catering to various learning styles and keeping students actively involved in the lesson.

By integrating these toolsets and their features in the modern classroom, educators will be best suited to drive learning.

Classroom management software transforms the traditional classroom into an engaging and interactive space where students are eager to learn.

Differentiated Instruction to Guide Students

Every student is unique, with different learning styles, strengths, and weaknesses.

Differentiated instruction aims to cater to these individual needs, providing tailored learning experiences to maximise each student’s potential.

Classroom management software plays an important role in facilitating differentiated instruction by integrating and elevating tools created to deliver personalised learning paths.

Tools such as DreamBox Learning and i-Ready use adaptive technology to assess student abilities and provide customised lessons that challenge and support them at their own pace. Through the use of classroom management software, teachers are able to ensure that these tools are accessible and ready for students to utilise in class, and administrators are able to effectively manage licences, and the rollout of approved and vetted updates as they are required.

These platforms offer a vast library of resources, activities, and assessments that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each student, ensuring that they receive the appropriate level of challenge and support to thrive.

By combining the foundational tools of classroom management that allow teachers to view student screens, and set what is applicable and what tools are accessible during a class with differentiated instruction tools, teachers can ensure students are set to learn without distraction.

Parental Involvement for Student Success

Strong parental involvement and support is a key factor in student success.

By easily integrating and facilitating the use of communicative tools with classroom management software, schools can provide a bridge between teachers and parents to foster open communication and collaboration in guiding students towards their potential.

Communication tools such as messaging features and discussion boards facilitate direct communication between teachers and parents, enabling them to discuss concerns, ask questions, and celebrate achievements. Platforms like ClassTag specialise in creating a vibrant community where parents can connect with teachers, share resources, and stay actively involved in their child’s education.

By addressing and managing the tools available to guide students through their learning challenges, classroom management software empowers educators to create a more inclusive, engaging, and supportive learning environment where every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

As technology continues to evolve, so too will the capabilities of classroom management software, offering even more innovative solutions to meet the ever-changing needs of modern classrooms.

How Mobile Guardian Simplifies Classroom Management

At Mobile Guardian, we understand the unique challenges faced by K12 schools. That’s why we’ve purposefully designed our solutions for education. This is especially true for our classroom management software, where we strive to provide a solution that is both powerful and user-friendly.

Our platform is:

• Intuitive: Easy for teachers and administrators to learn and use, even with limited technical experience.
• Comprehensive: Offering a wide range of features to meet the diverse needs of your school.
• Scalable: Adaptable to the changing needs of your school as it grows.
• Secure: Prioritising student data privacy and security.

Mobile Guardian’s Classroom management software solution Learn offers a range of benefits for teachers and students.

It allows teachers to set content restrictions, preventing students from accessing distracting websites or apps during class. This helps create a focused learning environment and ensures students stay on task.

Additionally, teachers can gain real-time visibility into student device usage, allowing them to monitor progress and identify potential issues.

Mobile Guardian’s Learn also enables teachers to lock student screens during instruction, ensuring their full attention. They can instantly distribute class content, save valuable class time, and directly close distracting browser tabs or windows on student devices.

Furthermore, the software maintains historical records of student activity, providing valuable insights for teachers, colleagues, and parents on the learning journey of individual students.

Finally, Learn integrates with popular platforms such as Google Workspace for Education and Apple School Manager, streamlining class roster and student data synchronisation, saving educators valuable time and effort.

In a nutshell, classroom management software empowers teachers with the tools they need to effectively manage their digital classrooms, improve student engagement, and create a more productive learning environment.

With Mobile Guardian, you can create a more engaging, productive, and secure learning environment for your students to learn and develop.

The Future of Classroom Management Software

As technology continues to evolve, so too will the capabilities of classroom management software.

We can expect to see increased integration with artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). These technologies have the potential to revolutionise the way we teach and learn, and classroom management software will be at the forefront of this transformation.

Choosing the right classroom management software is a critical decision for any K12 school.

By carefully evaluating your needs, researching different options, and partnering with a trusted provider like Mobile Guardian, you can empower your teachers, improve student learning, and prepare your school for the future of education.

Onwards,

Panashe Goteka

Team Mobile Guardian