Technology Use for High School Substitute Teachers
Practical strategies and tips for mastering technology use in high school classrooms as a substitute teacher.
5
Strategies
3
Quick Tips
High School
Grade Level
Why Technology Use Matters for High School Subs
Technology Use is one of the most important skills for substitute teachers in high school settings. Without the established relationships that regular teachers have, substitutes must rely on strong technology use techniques from the very first minute.
Practical Strategies
Leverage the teacher's existing digital workflow — check Google Classroom, Canvas, or Schoology first
Use collaborative tools like Google Docs or Padlet for group work and shared note-taking
Allow students to use personal devices for academic purposes with clear boundaries
Incorporate multimedia: short video clips, podcasts, or TED Talks related to the lesson
Use digital exit tickets (Google Forms) to collect student understanding data for the teacher
Common Challenges in High School
Students streaming content, gaming, or shopping online during class on personal devices
Navigating school technology platforms without proper credentials or training
Students who are more tech-savvy than you and use it to undermine classroom management
Quick Tips
Be upfront: 'I may not know this platform as well as your teacher — help me help you'
If tech is essential and you cannot access it, email the teacher or ask a department neighbor
Frame phone policies around respect, not control: 'I need your full attention for the next 20 minutes'
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
Master Technology Use in the Classroom
Our training courses cover technology use and other essential skills for high school substitute teachers.