The Value of Vulnerability

In my third year of teaching, our 4th grade team began piloting ways for students to use iPads in class as part of a 1:1 learning initiative. I had an idea for a lesson in which students would circulate about the room engaging with science centers I'd set up on my classroom website. Each center allowed students to explore the use of simple machines in real life. In my head, it all made sense: Students would spend about 10 minutes at each center and then move to the next one, using their devices to explore a different simple machine.

When my class tried this, however, it was utter chaos. Students struggled to navigate the website, follow the multistep directions, and meaningfully explore each center. Off-task behaviors escalated as the noise level in the room crept up slowly but surely. It was clear that my vision of simplicity would not be the reality. To make matters worse, my principal popped in for a surprise walkthrough. Panic overtook my body, my palms began to sweat, and I could feel the temperature in my body rise.