Technology Use for Middle School Substitute Teachers
Practical strategies and tips for mastering technology use in middle school classrooms as a substitute teacher.
5
Strategies
3
Quick Tips
Middle School
Grade Level
Why Technology Use Matters for Middle School Subs
Technology Use is one of the most important skills for substitute teachers in middle 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
Use the teacher's LMS (Google Classroom, Canvas) to post and collect assignments digitally
Incorporate interactive tools like Kahoot, Quizlet Live, or Nearpod for review sessions
Set clear expectations for device use: 'Screens should show [specific page] right now'
Use screen monitoring software if available to keep students on task
Allow responsible device use as a reward for completing work
Common Challenges in Middle School
Students using VPNs or workarounds to bypass school content filters
The temptation of gaming, social media, and messaging on school devices
Not having teacher login credentials for essential platforms
Quick Tips
Walk behind students frequently — just your presence near their screen changes behavior
Ask a student tech expert to help you troubleshoot rather than calling IT for minor issues
If you cannot access the LMS, write the assignment on the board and collect work on paper
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
Master Technology Use in the Classroom
Our training courses cover technology use and other essential skills for middle school substitute teachers.