I got a few hits on other people's computer lab rules and regulations,
which are enclosed below. I also got a couple of documents that they
use to regulate their labs. If anyone wants those files, please e-mail
me off serve to obtain them. Thank you again for all the responses!
Here they are:
Luckily, due to our size, we have 2 full-time Librarians and 1 full-time
paraprofessional. It's not as time-consuming as it sounds.
We do not have anyone to run the Academic Labs. When we first set them
up and the Administration wanted me to oversee them, I told them I would
have certain expectations in order to insure every class had equal
opportunity and that the lab would be kept in good working order - I
told them if they didn't want me to enforce rules, they needed to find
someone else to be responsible for the labs. Once I established my
policies, I went over the policies and procedures with the
Administration and allowed them to ask questions and clarify anything
they did not understand (luckily they had no objections). My
Administration backs me with any problems I bring to their attention -
I'm not petty, but I believe in following the rules - I take care of the
fist problem myself, but will let the Administration know when I've had
multiple problems. We all know what is expected and have very few
problems.
1. We give the teachers a Library packet at the beginning of each year
and our Administration allows us a few minutes during one of the
pre-planning meetings to review the packet with them and explain any new
procedures (next year we will have new network procedures because each
student will have his/her own individual log-in and network folder).
2. It takes about 20 minutes to turn on both computer labs (about 10
minutes each) each morning and 20-30 minutes in the afternoon to check
each lab and shut them down (we use DeepFreeze so I don't have to worry
too much about the computer systems - I just check for damage, things
out of place, writing on things, things downloaded to or changed on the
desktop {so I can ask the teacher about it - they know I am watching},
things left in the room, etc.).
3. I suggest teachers talk to me when they complete the request for use,
but if I am out of the Library and they leave the form, I will email
them they must see me to clear up any questions before they can go to
the lab.
4. My teachers understand that I am very busy and I work diligently to
accommodate everyone I can and keep all equipment in working order - the
computer labs are supposed to be available to everyone - all users are
expected to follow and enforce the rules for use so that the equipment
will remain in working order - if a teacher or class can't follow the
rules, they are notified of the problem(s) and given a second chance and
told they are on probation for the lab (and I notify my Administration)
- if there continues to be a problem, they can no longer use the labs
(luckily I don't have to ban a class very often - last year, no one -
this year 2 teachers).
5. The computer lab doors are kept locked - prevents student vandalism
and skipping when no one is in the labs to watch them - and prevents
teacher abuse of the facilities also. Teachers must pick up the key
from the circulation desk (if it's for one block they pick it up on the
way to the lab -if it's for the day, they can pick it up before classes
begin) and return the key to us when they finish. On a 4X4 block
schedule, it's difficult to have only 1 teacher in a lab each day - I
try to limit it to no more than 2 different teachers and check the lab
between classes. I have several teachers who have established a great
record for following procedures and letting me know if anything is wrong
and don't worry about them until the day is over and shut down the lab.
I'm at a public High School with about 2000 students and over 100
classrooms.
I am attaching the forms I use for the computer lab.
I control access to our 2 academic computer labs and 3 rolling labs -
outside the Library (inside the Library - 11 computers and 8 look up
stations and 4 teacher computes and more print resources than most high
school students can imagine - is scheduled through either me or the Head
Librarian).
1. I keep the schedule.
2. I have the calendar at my desk in the Library.
3. If a teacher wants to use any of the computer labs, he/she must come
to the Library and complete a "Request for Academic Computer Lab Time"
form which I keep in a three-ring binder at my work area. The form
requires them to specify:
a. which block they need the computer lab
b. which computer lab they want
c. what topic they will be working on
d. what specific software they will be using - or Internet
e. what assistance they want from me
f. if special equipment is needed (ie: scanner, temporary storage
disks)
g. teachers provide their own paper
h. date the teacher will meet with me for an orientation prior to
lab use -
required for every teacher every year and suggested periodically
4. Teachers cannot use the lab more than 3 days in a row.
5. Weekly visits/scheduling is not allowed - we have to be able to
accommodate the entire school and we can't do that with a fixed
schedule. We have also discovered the students need a valid reason to
be in the lab or they become bored and start damaging things.
6. Teachers are strongly encouraged to discuss with me what they are
doing - often I have recommendations from past experiences that will
help them out - I try to get them to fill the form out in front of me so
I can check my calendar and pencil them in (I don't allow them to write
in the calendar - I created the calendar using Word and keep it in a
clear plastic page protector so it is easy to see - I actually keep the
current month visible on one side and the upcoming month visible on the
other side).
* I explain that if they don't talk to me about the schedule, they may
not get scheduled - sometimes I have to adjust things.
7. Each week I write out reminders for the upcoming week and place it in
the teacher's mailboxes (with a reminder of Computer Lab Use
Procedures)
to confirm their date and time.
I take the time to turn the labs on each morning and shut them down at
the end of each day so I know if the lab is being abused - and I let the
teachers know if I find anything wrong - they understand 3 strikes and
they are out.
Our basic rules are:
No food/drink
No chair tipping.
No internet use unless approved by teacher.
No printing unless checked first.
One thing that I am doing is keeping a seating chart for all students
that use the lab. At the bottom of the sheet is a place for the teacher
to initial "Room has been checked". Unfortunately, there are students
who are trying to get past the filters to get to myspace and games that
are blocked. Our tech dept. is great about blocking things when we send
them the addresses but some violent sites can't get blocked.
Angelique C. Wylie
angwylie@spsk12.net
Library Media Specialist
John Yeates Middle School, Suffolk, VA
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