Using technology in a classroom provides students with access to a variety of resources. Managing the pieces of equipment requires teachers to consider safety, storage, physical movement and maintenance issues.
Managing Physical Features and Equipment Maintenance With the addition of computers and iPads in the classroom there are a number of physical features that teachers need to consider when managing the classroom. This includes cables and wires, laptop batteries and laptop/iPad carts.
Development of Classroom Use Policies A key to maintaining expensive technology equipment is the development of a community that feels ownership in the classroom. Helping students realize the importance of the equipment to learning and to the day-to-day workings of the class will help prevent students from changing device settings and so forth.
Develop a classroom use policy by first determining items that are non-negotiable, such as use of another student’s password, and items that are open to discussion with students. Work with students to set guidelines and consequences for the misuse of technology equipment. Once the Classroom Use Policy has been developed, share it with the administration. The final step is to have both parents and students sign the policy. Once the policy is in place, students should be reminded of appropriate behaviors. Teachers must be consistent in following through with appropriate consequences. Some examples of items included in CUPs by eMINTS teachers follow:
Never open another student’s shared work without permission.
Never use an external storage device in a classroom device without permission.
Only save in the designated space.
Never give out personal information on the Web.
Electronic communications - such as text messages - require teacher authorization.
If something inappropriate comes up on the screen, turn off the monitor, lower the computer lid or flip over a hand-held device and raise a hand. Wait for the teacher to assist.
Never go into the Properties unless instructed to do so.
Personal social media communication, texting and email are not allowed during instructional time.
Never download anything onto the classroom devices.
Never clear or alter the history on a browser. The teacher will interpret this action as covering up inappropriate use.
Raise a hand if a partner goes to an inappropriate site. Sitting and watching is wrong, too.
Additional considerations related to internet use include the development of clear rules about the types of sites students are allowed to visit. Many students who would never visit a pornographic site might do something like shop for a used car or chat with a friend during instructional time.
Addressing Privacy and Security in CUPs
General guidelines related to internet safety and privacy often found in CUPs include the following:
Keep personal information private, including name, email address, postal address, phone number, photo and school address.
Do not share login names or passwords with anyone.
Notify a teacher or parent if any received email or social media message creates uncomfortable feelings.
Additional Safety Guidelines - Secondary
In high schools and middle schools, teachers are often concerned about students visiting inappropriate websites, including pornographic sites, sites with inappropriate material and sites with content not related to learning. Students might feel tempted to shop for a prom dress, look for a new car online or chat with other students on a social networking site during class time. These practices can prevent inappropriate internet use:
Make clear rules about the types of sites middle school and high school students may visit during school hours.
Do not allow students to clear the history of the browser. Check the histories of the machines frequently.
Teach middle school and high school students appropriate search strategies. Do not allow students to type in a topic followed by “.com” in the browser address bar. Students have no way of knowing what type of site might appear when following this practice.
Do not allow students to download apps without permission.
Instruct students to turn off the monitor, close the laptop lid or flip over a hand-held device and ask for assistance if they accidentally visit an inappropriate site.
Monitor students as they use classroom devices. Consistent teacher presence prevents many problems.
Violations
In general, teachers should not use removal from technology as a punishment for classroom misbehavior that is related to technology use. Technology devices are essential learning tools. Just as a teacher would not remove a student’s textbook as punishment for misbehavior, access to a device should not serve as punishment for misbehavior. Remove a student from technology only for misuse that violates an AUP or CUP. Students who violate the AUP or the CUP need to have a natural consequence. Certain types of activity require careful handling to ensure all legal aspects are considered. If students knowingly access a site not cleared by the teacher, they should lose the privilege of choosing the sites they will visit. This consequence does not mean offending students have to be off in a corner doing worksheets. Try the following:
Almost all teachers require the students involved in an incident to fill out and sign a form explaining exactly what happened. The teacher and the parents have to sign the form before the student can use the equipment again. Teachers keep the forms to document repeated violations.
Students may be allowed to participate in all activities on devices with a partner but are not in control and not allowed to touch the device.
Students do assignments usually done in a word-processing program or online in handwriting for a certain number of days.
Students who access sexually explicit sites by entering the URL receive the consequences for going to a site they were not cleared to use AND for possessing pornography in the school.