Even five years ago, classrooms looked different than they do now. There are devices all over the place. Lessons include both live teaching and online work. Students can switch between apps and tabs in just a few seconds. That fast pace is great for learning, but it also makes it harder to keep the classroom under control.
Software for controlling the classroom can help. It is a group of digital classroom tools that help teachers keep lessons on track, keep an eye on what students are doing, and control their devices. In my experience, the right tool helps you stay focused, saves you time, and makes teaching in person or online feel less chaotic.
This guide tells you what classroom control software does, why it's important, what features to look for, and how to set it up without breaking your network or your teachers' skills.
What is software for controlling the classroom?
Classroom control software is digital software that helps teachers keep an eye on students' devices and behavior during class. In the digital world, it's like a teacher control panel. It has everything you need to keep an eye on your classroom, teach from afar, and manage your devices all in one place.
These tools can be used on a variety of devices and platforms. Modern solutions work in mixed environments, so it doesn't matter if your school uses Chromebooks, Windows laptops, Macs, or iPads. They also work with learning management systems like Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams, which saves time and keeps everything connected.
Watch the video below for a quick summary if you don't have much time:
Why schools need it right now
We are no longer surprised by how easy it is to get to devices. Managing student devices is now a big part of teaching. Here are some reasons why schools use digital classroom software.
Less time wasted on tech distractions. You can push a single website or close tabs that are getting in the way with just a few clicks. That keeps people from yelling across the room and helps students get back to work faster.
Stable schedules for lessons that are both in person and online. With remote teaching tools, you can send out lessons, keep track of students' progress, and help those who are learning from home.
Data to help with teaching. Classroom monitoring gives you information in real time. You don't have to guess who is working and who needs help.
Using devices more safely.
Main things to look for
Not all tools for managing a classroom are the same. When looking at solutions, keep an eye out for these important features. I've added quick examples so you can see how each feature helps in class.
Keeping an eye on the classroom. See what students are doing on their screens in real time. For example, find a student who is having trouble with a technical problem before they fall behind.
Control from a distance. Take control of a student's device to change settings or help with an assignment.
Locking the screen. To get their attention back, freeze or lock the screens of the students for a short time. Quick tip: lock for 15 seconds to let people know that something has changed.
Blocking websites and apps. Limit access to certain sites or apps during class.
Teacher screen broadcast/share. Share your screen on their device to view it closer up, more effective in hybrid environments.
Group management. Make groups for various tasks. E.g., divide the class into reading groups with varying sites.
Chat and assistance requests. Allow students to request help privately without interrupting class.
Evaluation features. Quizzes and tests enable engagement measurement.
Recording attendance and activity records. Monitor attendance and activities, useful for audits and parental correspondence.
Classroom management software that works with multiple instruction modes
Lesson management isn’t one size fits all. Effective classroom management software must be flexible depending on whether you are conducting the lesson offline, online, or even through the use of a hybrid system.
In case you are teaching offline, screen monitoring and lock screens ensure students remain engaged. In flipped classrooms, pushing links and seeing which students have completed the pre-work makes management easy. In case you are holding an online lesson, screen broadcast and student thumbnail viewing are effective methods.
Classroom management software is also effective for one to one programs where each learner has a device.
The selection process
The decision of which classroom digital tool to go for is part technical, and part human. This is my step-by-step approach to helping schools choose a good one.
Define objectives. What do you want to achieve - decrease distractions, help remote learners, improve assessment, or even a combination of these?
Determine platform compatibility. Verify that the software is compatible with your platforms. Chromebooks are widely used, but usually a mix of platforms are present in the classroom.
Perform an integration test. See whether it works with your learning management system, single sign-on service, and authentication systems. The less configuration is required, the better.
Perform privacy checks. Ensure that it complies with FERPA and GDPR. Get answers about data storage policies from vendors.
Do a pilot study. Test the software with a handful of teachers first. This way, problems will become obvious before a large-scale implementation.
Prepare to train the staff. Provide training and assistance to teachers in adopting a new tool.
Practical Rollout Plan
The rollout plan for tech in classrooms fails because it underestimates the human factor. Here is an actual plan used successfully in several school districts where I consulted.
Go small-scale. Select 5 to 10 teachers from various grades and disciplines. Conduct a two-month pilot program.
Define clear and measurable results. For instance: lower the percentage of off-task Internet browsing by 40 percent during classes, or decrease the time spent distributing links to 10 minutes per class.
Provide easy-to-use guides. Create a one-page guide for each routine task: initiating lessons, sending links, and locking devices.
Organize brief training programs. Provide 30 to 45 minute training sessions tailored specifically for teachers.
Identify champions. Find teachers who are enthusiastic about technology and will help others implement it.
Collect feedback. Implement a straightforward process for modifying settings and work procedures.
Monitor and scale up. Evaluate the results and the level of teacher satisfaction.
Mistakes to avoid and how to do it
There are some common errors that keep cropping up. They are all easily prevented by some foresight.
Over-monitoring. Teachers may sometimes enable continuous monitoring. This may affect trust. Use monitoring to assist teachers rather than punish them.
Trying to incorporate too many features at once. Start off with essential features only. Do not make teachers figure out all the features in the first week.
Inadequate network planning. Streaming video and sending files can impact WiFi performance. Perform network testing when piloting the system.
Not being transparent about privacy issues. Failing to disclose what information will be gathered may result in resistance. Provide clear information about your privacy policy.
Disregarding student opinion. Students pick up on changes in classroom dynamics brought on by new technology. Engage students and justify feature usage.