Many teachers assume that the classroom management strategies they employ during traditional lessons will transfer easily to technology-based lessons. That is rarely true.

The computer lab is not like a regular classroom. Students participating in computer-related lessons and activities are involved in more

• exploration: Students must experiment -- with different computer tools, with different keywords and search terms, and with different ways to solve problems.
• collaboration: Students must help one another, because teachers cannot possibly be at every computer every second.
• movement: Printers jam, students need disks, and friends need help, so more movement is necessary.

In addition, most students approach computer activities and lessons with high spirits. Attempting to tame that excitement by demanding silence and assigning very focused work dampens student enthusiasm.

To make management even more difficult, most computer activities require teachers to provide frequent direction, explanation, and individual support, which slows down instructional time.

When you guide students in their next computer-enriched project, be ready for a bit more noise, interaction, and activity. In tech classrooms, it's wise to remember that a little creative anarchy can be a good thing -- as long as you control it.

Next: Be prepared.