Our mysterious "desk creep"

[rexboggs5]

Something strange has been happening ever since we installed our ActivBoard over two years ago, which I call "desk creep".

The desks in our room are in rows. Over a number of days, the desks move almost as one closer and closer to the front of the room. If we did nothing about this, the teacher would eventually be pressed against the front wall unable to move, with the student desks almost touching the ActivBoard.

So once every week or two, I wave my hand in a certain way, and all of the students stand up and move their desks back to their original position, usually a metre or so. They have been doing this for so long that they know what the wave means.

Now this is the only room in many years of teaching that this happens. Does the ActivBoard have some sort of secret desk magnet or student magnet built into it? Has anyone else experienced this strange phenonemon?

And might it be possible to reverse this field? There are some days in which I would prefer to have the board repel the deks (and/or students). Just kidding.

Cheers

Rex

[LisaD]

It could be the built in electromagnetic grid in the Activboard. Is this happening only with students with orthodontic work or is this happening with all students?

Lisa

[markrobinson]

mmmm... they would have to be within around 5mm for it even to be detectable!

Unfortunately the symptoms of "Desk Creep" are incurable .... you may have to chain them back!

I think Powerpoint has a repel audience function though...

[lsmith2]

I would have to agree with Rex as this phenomena is happening within my classroom as well. It is not so much that the desks are moving, but the children themselves. I can hardly keep them in their seats anymore. Whenever I pull up a new flipchart, the same phrase is asked, "Can we come sit up THERE?" Usually without waiting for a response there is a flood of bodies towards the front of the room.

I must say, I kind of like it though. Another strange occurrence that I have found is that when going through a lesson that does not have reward sounds built into it, somehow they keep happening. The kids have taken to clapping and rewarding each other when the board doesn't Weird, I know!

Laura Smith
4th grade
Avon Lake, Ohio

[adc725]

It is fascinating how even the coolest fifth grader who doesn't have time for school or instruction is drawn to the board as well. They all start in the back of the room and by the middle of the lesson, they are all standing about an inch from the board! CRAZY!!:D

[BenPosner]

Oh my! I was just thinking about this over the weekend, since my custodian is ALWAYS complaining that my desks are never where they started the week by Friday. I will need to come up with a cool handwave, so thanks for that suggestion Rex! How funny!

~Ben

[scaulfield]

Perfect use of the Activwand, as a prodding pole to keep those student back!

I also like Mark's idea of Powerpoint as repellent! :D

[BenPosner]

Scott,

How did you know how I broke my wand?

~Ben ;)

[karenadams]

Next thing you know we will all have our Activboards behind velvet ropes - like at the art museum!!

(Ben - no prodding students with the wand - unless they deserve it!:p)

[rexboggs5]

Perfect use of the Activwand, as a prodding pole to keep those student back!

I also like Mark's idea of Powerpoint as repellent! :D


When I wrote my post, I thought 'Scott will be in on this thread, sure as eggs'. So there you are.:p

[rexboggs5]

Oh my! I was just thinking about this over the weekend, since my custodian is ALWAYS complaining that my desks are never where they started the week by Friday. I will need to come up with a cool handwave, so thanks for that suggestion Rex! How funny!

~Ben

I think maybe even the handwave is becoming unnecessary. Today as the students entered at the start of my Period 2 class, a student asked 'Can we move the desks back, sir" and the class proceeded to do so without even the wave.

I think Promethean should fund someone (hint, hint) to the tune of say $10,000 or so to study and report back on this unique phenonemon. :p

Cheers

Rex

[Dug]

OK, so I'm Primary (3-11) and this may not be relevant to everyone, but we decided to use the IWB as an opportunity to have a wholesale rethink of the classroom furniture arrangements.

We don't have a problem with desk-creep and I think there may be a couple of reasons for this.

Firstly, not all our desks/students face the board all the time. Our desks are in clusters that allow students to work in groups of 2-8 in independent or collaborative ways when they are desk based. Generally, there is relatively little board-based input whilst kids are at desks (desks are for students to work independently/in pars/in groups on a given assignment). Whilst kids are in 'desk-mode', the IWB might only be used to refocus, conduct a mini-plenary or an ad-hoc 'share' type input.

We have our rooms organised in such a way that there is a relatively large, clear space around the board. We use this space for 'taught' parts of the session and kids are arranged in an 'amphitheatre' arrangement; a few kids cross-legged on the floor (front row), a few more on small foot stalls (second row), a few on chairs (third row) and a few sitting on the edge of desks (back row).

Generally, kids know to come in and arrange themselves in the amphitheatre way on first entering. We actually have a couple of monitors who choose which kids deserve the 'premium' desk based seats etc. Whole-class input can then be delivered in a focussed and interactive way and teachers/pupils feel more in touch with each other/the IWB and we have the flexibility to pair/group children very easily.

A bit of training is required initially in getting smooth moves to/from the amphitheatre/desks, but after a couple of weeks, kids seamlessly move, bringing a dry-wipe board/pen and their activote with them when they all gather.

It also allows for a nice area to teach a focus group during desk-based activities, so once the initial input/interactive section of the lesson has taken place, I can say 'Right groups A,B,C and D - you all know what you're doing so off you go to desks. I'd like the following children to stay here with me for some further input' (Based on my marking/questioning/results of an ACTIvote, whatever).

We might then all reconvene at the end for a plenary/sharing session.

Works for us and no desk-creep.

(Although we do get a bit of 'bottom-creep' from the ones on the carpet closest to the board!;):D)

Oh, and teachers' desks were thrown out 4 years ago!

[Alison]

I teach Primary too, Year 2 for the last five years (6-7 year olds). I get bottom-creep all the time! It wasn't too bad in my old classroom, but the room I'm in this year is actually a Year 1 classroom, so the carpet area is smaller. I too have 'The Wave' +wave+ Or I just mutter 'big feet'. I spent the first few months waving them back and pointing out that I have big feet and don't really want to tread on them! I think it might have something to do with the fact that their previous teacher didn't really use the board and on those rare occasions she did, it was used as a glorified blackboard.

[scaulfield]

When I wrote my post, I thought 'Scott will be in on this thread, sure as eggs'. So there you are.:p


What can I say, I'm a sucker when it comes to making lame Activwand jokes! :D:D

[dandrews]

When I took over the lab within my new school system, the first thing I requested was a classroom rug. The principal looked at me sideways and reminded me that I would be covering K-2 focusing on Reading and Math. She quickly witnessed and understood how purposeful that rug was (two feet from the ACTIVboard) when students (all students) were anxiously waiting their turn for the whole group mini lesson before they went to their own computers to work independently on the content presented.
I always smile thinking about how the kids begged "just 5 more minutes at the ACTIVboard" when they were sent to their computers! :D

[BenPosner]

Do they make flipcharts in your lab, Donna? I think that might solve some of your problems with them not wanting to leave the carpet...

And Scott, it was a lame ActivWand joke...

~Ben

[dandrews]

They can if time permits, but they are using Sunburst's KeySkills software to reinforce various concepts. This software keeps a running record of their progress throughout the year. It is engaging, but not like the board!

Allowing the kids to make flipcharts would not be as engaging as the ability to interact with the lesson's flipchart that incorporates the votes, the wand, the pen, etc. I think it is the dynamic of all of the students learning together using the hardware/software that creates this active environment.

[BenPosner]

Oh, I totally agree... But sometimes when they make their own flipcharts, and then you teach a lesson using them, they are AMAZINGLY engaged... I have been trying to find time to do this, but alas, our tech teacher did not install AS on all the lab computers, and I no longer have the passwords needed to do this :(.

~Ben

[dandrews]

The 2nd graders were able to start creating their own flipcharts during the last month of school, but I am just as accountable for reinforcing what the classroom teacher is covering each week. So, time is of the essence for the 40 minutes that I have them. And, it is like a production line getting 9 classes in each day!
However, the 2nd graders did like using the software. I was thinking that this upcoming year I would have 2nd grade keep a year long flipchart. I had the students use KidPix to type their spelling and vocabulary words along with their creative writings this past year. If I use ACTIVstudio this time, I can export each to flash for a keepsake for them. I will have to discuss this with administration (of course)...

[markrobinson]

Activwand has specially designed tip for 'prodding' children who get too close...;)

Targetting the lower side/ribs is particularly effective as my daughter has just confirmed. In fact the threat of a rib Activprod is sometimes enough - of course with some children this may have the opposite effect....

An alternative is to have 4 Activslates - and then you will get the 'group creeping' effect - where they gravitate to each other around each device - you can then choose any group to control the session from their group area - which reduced the desk creep effect towards the board.

[markrobinson]

I'd like to put a brief blog article together around this... does it sustain over years, etc.

"Desk Creep - Planning your activclassroom to cope!"

I can get a few quotes from here - but if you have a strategy / view like Dug, please let me know by e-mail:

mark.robinson@prometheanworld.com

[wilcogirl]

I had no idea that there was a name for this!!! I to have had the experience of Desk Creep. I have tried several times, but the more I try to repel the desks back they just keep on appearing, then to ad injury to insult, there is a table in the front of the room, and it keeps getting further and further to the board that some times I feel like I need to add steps and the velvet curtain to introduce who will be on stage next. :D

[Westlake]

I like the idea of velvet curtains framing the Activboard..
TA DA! [clap]

Hilary

[LisaD]

I think we should have a "Best Dressed" Activboard contest! I've seen classrooms with Christmas lights around the Activboard and theater type curtains!

It would be cool to share photos!

Lisa

[slohse]

Perhaps they will stay back if you start throwing the SQUISHY STRESS votes at them!!! :) Just kidding of course. Imagine that, the kiddies are so interested that their desks have become activated!!!!! I love it[clap]

Shannon

[srchlc]

Shannon,

You have to say the desks are ACTIVated. Then it looks like you're witty! LOL :D As far as the squishy votes go, I have been known to toss one at a child who thinks I am really throwing an Activote just to watch their expression! ;)

Holli

[hlh422]

Holli-

Don't you really mean you had to get their "ACTIVExpression?" :D Sorry, had to get that in there!

[hlh422]

I think we should have a "Best Dressed" Activboard contest! I've seen classrooms with Christmas lights around the Activboard and theater type curtains!

It would be cool to share photos!

Lisa

Lisa,

I LOVE this idea! [clap][clap][clap]You do such great resource packs, we could have seasonal "Best Dressed" packs to download as ideas. I need to spruce up my area around the board and am always looking in other classrooms to get ideas.

[srchlc]

Heather,

Very nicely done...... We are all become ActivSmartElecks! [clap] ActivComedians? ActivLaughmakers? Help me!


Holli

[lsmith2]

Heather-

That sounds like a challenge, if you ask me. I think we should hold a "best dressed" contest in our building next year. Just make sure the fire marshall isn't around to see it. (She doesn't like ANYTHING hanging in our rooms.) =(

Laura
4th grade
Avon Lake, Ohio

[davidlloyd]

Heather,
We are all become ActivSmartElecks!
Holli

Please not that five letter word - Activalecks perhaps!

[markrobinson]

Maybe there is a sub group in Planet that needs to move to a Promethean Planet Facebook account!!!

[Dug]

Mark, I am a member of other fora that do have 'social groups' as sub-sections of the forum. It is a nice feature that might be considered...

[cmansell]

I think we should have a "Best Dressed" Activboard contest! I've seen classrooms with Christmas lights around the Activboard and theater type curtains!

It would be cool to share photos!

Lisa


Here's my "Best Dressed" ACTIVboard. What do you reckon?

Craig "ACTIVmanse" Mansell

[LisaD]

Love your hat decorations!

Lisa

[dandrews]

If I ever have the privilege of getting an AB+2, I would have to decorate it as such. My computer lab is "Mrs. Andrews' Tiki Lab" so this would only be fitting!

[LisaD]

How fun!

Lisa

[davidlloyd]

I guess it's much warmer in Georgia than in Barnsley:D

Maybe we should have a local costume day for Activboards:cool:

[carolinakatlady]

HaaHaa! This is the same problem I have. I even have an area designated in front of the board and before the end of the lesson they are creeping into "the water" (The seating carpet is green atop a blue room carpet). They are soooo intigued by the board. I actually have kids work using manipulatives at the desks sometimes while others are working at the board, so occasionally desk creep happens too. Isn't it wonderful though?

katlady

[ictfacilitator]

Funny how when I give the pen to a pupil they jump to the front and if to a new teacher I am training... it is creep.... so not all creep is good.. its all about attitude!