Recreational computer games

[Cheryl Bybee <cbybee@TENET.EDU>]

I'm taking a short time-out from my local political activities to respond
to a couple of recent items.  Here is how I have handled the recreational
computer games problem this year.  It worked fairly well but is not set
in stone...who knows what we will decide next year?  We allow solitaire
and minesweeper (which came installed on the computer) as long as no one
needs to use one of the databases for "school work."  The kids know what
we mean by this...we have only two standalone cd-rom stations (no towers
or networks, etc.) and about 10 -15 cd-rom programs to juggle between
them.  Research and instruction ALWAYS have top priority.  We also have
KidPix, Paintworks, Print Shop, and Carmen Sandiego available which, in
my opinion, are not exactly games but are not exactly scholarly either.
These too give way to research...even Carmen, although that is clearly
educational.  Being in a middle school, I find it necessary to limit the
TIME some students spend on such activities--not because I mind that they
are spending their time that way, but because there is such demand for
the two standalone computers.  I have, therefore, purchased two kitchen
timers.  When several people want to use the computers for recreation, I
set the timer for ten minutes.  When the timer buzzes, the student must
let the next in line have a turn.  If there is NOT a line...the student
is allowed as much time as he or she would like (and as his/her teacher
has said is OK.)  It's a tough question...especially with the productive
but not research type programs.  I'll probably continue this
setup...since it works...until something better occurs to me.

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Cheryl Bybee, Librarian/Learning Resources Specialist
Katherine Stinson Middle School
13200 Skyhawk Drive
San Antonio, TX 78249
(210)561-3615      cbybee@tenet.edu
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