HIT: Computer lab rules

["Randy R. Klauk" <rklauk@Net-Info.Com>]

Hi all,

        MANY thanx to those that responded to my request (I even heard from a
friend). The one rules I didn’t get from anyone (but that we used last
year) was anyone unpluging ANY cable, is off the computers for the rest
of that period. The most common advise was to watch out for the track
balls disappearing. So, for it’s worth:

        At Ease, which is very good at keeping kids out of the hard drives.
Some issues, other than access to the hard drive, are students stealing
mouse balls. Teachers who take their classes into the lab just have the
students turn the mouse upside down so the teacher can make sure all
balls are still in place. Gum is the other real no-no and that is easy
to control.

        We keep red plastic cups next to each computer.  When the students have
a
question they place the red cup on top of the monitor.  The teacher
places it back on the table when he/she gets there to help them.  Turn
the mouse over when the students are ready to leave (put it to sleep),
now you can tell with a quick glance if the balls are missing.  NO book
bags or purses in the room (a bag with a strong magnet can ruin a
computer.)

We just revised ours. This is not verbatim, but close.
        1.  Students arrive at the media center (computer lab is next
door) to sign up for a specific machine. They are numbered and this
helps to track if there are problems. A blue laminated cardboard
computer pass is issued and is to be returned when finished.
        2.  Students may work on whatever they need (word processing,
Internet, etc.), but if caught doing something they shouldn't (email,
chat rooms, another person's account) they will be asked to leave and
reported. They've signed Internet user agreements and have been alerted
to the rules.
        3.  Teachers may schedule the entire lab for their class. They
are then responsible for everything that goes on in the room and the
condition of it when they leave.
        4.  Students working more than 1 per machine must have written
permission from a staff member that this is for a group project.

My rules were simply - Use your common sense. and  NO FOOD and NO DRINK
inside the lab. I have had no problems.

I have one rule.  Respect yourself, others and school property. That
covers it all.

At the end of each class, have kids put the mouse's on their backs and
do a quick scan to see that all the mouse balls are still there. (This
may only be necessary with older grades or if a ball ever does
disappear).


1. NO outside disks--all disks inserted in drives must stay in library
and be stored there.  (I now, kids can;t work on it home, but it is a
part of our AUP.)
2. NO internet in the A.M. without a specific assignment (in other
words, no surfing).
3.  Print jobs are 10 cents a page for B/W and $1.00 for color--
cartridges are expensive.
4.  WP, SS, DB (Office software), Accel Rder, Computer catalog,
electronic databases & indexes, electronic encyc. & atlas available
anytime.

Do you have an AUP is force in your school?  This is a must. Acceptable
use policies are available on the net.

Watch out for those mouse balls.  You should super glue them in.
No food no drinks.
No customizing.
Stay on task.
Ask for help.


--
Peace,

Randy R. Klauk
Media Specialist
Bancroft Elementary School
1315 East 38th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55407
612.627.2365
612.627.2367-fax
rklauk@net-info.com

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST), Send email to
 listserv@listserv.syr.edu         In the message write EITHER:
 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST
 3) SET LM_NET MAIL  * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv
 For LM_NET Help & Archives see:  http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=