10 Low-Tech Ways to Refocus Students

Edtech Throwdown Episode 197: 10 Low-Tech Ways to Refocus Students Welcome to the EdTech Throwdown. This is Episode 197 called 10 Low-Tech Ways to Refocus Students. In this episode, we will talk about 10 low-tech or no-tech ideas for brain breaks, mindful moments, whatever you call them, you’ll learn some cool ways to refocus students in your classroom. This is another episode you don’t want to miss, check it out. Segment 1: School Opening Our school opening PD days focused on the importance of getting kids off screens. Funny because I’ve been hearing students for years say they still prefer pieces of paper for many things in class and that they get tired of looking at their tiny chromebook screen. This also makes sense because there are strong links to learning and handwriting. Also, have you ever tried staring at a screen for your job all day? It’s not fun. In that spirit, we collected some ideas for brain breaks / mindful moments, with a focus on low tech or no tech solutions. Segment 2: Low Tech or No Tech Brain Breaks Bingo Bongo Splat You write down a secret number on a piece of paper so you don’t forget it yourself. Can be as many digits as you want. Students take turns guessing the number. As they make a guess, you record it for all of them to see, along with the word, bingo, bongo, or splat. Check out the Tik Tok video from LifeofSteph on this Bingo=1 digit in the right place Bongo=1 digit but in the wrong place Splat=nothing matches Reverse Simon Says Same rules as Simon Says—but if you don’t hear “Simon says,” you should do the action. Flips their brains into focus mode. Slow Reveal Graphs Series of images of graphs , beginning with almost no labels or information, then slowly adding more. Students share out what they think the graph is about. Their responses get more detailed and specific with each new reveal. Teaches graph skills and is fun! Bandle Phone App Wordle Remember that craze! It’s still around. Play the real NYT version or make your own at flippty Which doesn’t belong? 4 images are shown and students must argue for which one doesn’t belong. There should be a possible reason that could be argued for each image. Start with a dessert example (chocolate layer cake, choco chip cookies, berry pie, ice cream), and then make one that fits your content. Close by having students design one. Extend this by having them present it. Story Tag One student starts a silly story with one sentence, and it goes around the room quickly. Each adds just one sentence—short and energizing. Another option: You will tell a story one word at a time. Ideally you’re in a circle on arranged in a way that’s clear which order you’ll go in. The first student starts with one word (One), then the next student comes up with another word (morning), then the next student continues (a)… Another option: You will tell a story using only questions. Ideally you’re in a circle on arranged in a way that’s clear which order you’ll go in. The first student starts: “Where did the dog go?” The next continues with: “I’m not sure, should we go look for him?” The next continues with: “Do you know where his leash is?” Upside-Down Artist Students have 30 seconds to doodle something on scrap paper—but they must hold the paper upside down while drawing. Quick, funny reset. Island packing list/I’m going on a picnic You’ll need to decide the rule for things allowed on the picnic. Maybe it’s green things, or things that begin with the letter B, or things that you can eat… Students will take turns asking if they can bring X on the picnic Their goal is to try to get everyone to figure out the rule. Mirror Game In pairs, one student makes slow movements while the other “mirrors” exactly. Switch roles after 30 seconds. Word Problem Battleship/Connect 4/ Tic-Tac-Toe Edtech Throwdown: Vote on twitter @edtechthrowdown and under the pinned post on the profile. Segment 3: Where to Find EdTech Throwdown Do us a few favors:

You can listen to 10 Low-Tech Ways to Refocus Students online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

10 Low-Tech Ways to Refocus Students is an episode from GotTechED the Podcast by Eric Guise/Nick Johnson.

This episode is 35:37 long.

This episode was published on Sep 8, 2025.

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