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Good morning students! I'm here today to talk about being respectful of the computers and
other technology at our school. We have had problems this year with students mistreating
the computers in the computer labs and in the classrooms. The past few weeks we've been
doing much better, and I've created some expectations, or rules, for using the computers that should
help us continue using them the right way.
This is a new poster that you will see hanging in the computer labs and in your classroom.
Let's talk about each of the expectations on this poster.
Number 1: Students should touch only the keyboard, mouse, and headphones, and be gentle with
all equipment.
In the computer lab, I've seen computer screens with writing on them, and cords that have
been pulled on. There is NO reason for students to touch the computer screen or cords, so
I should never see these things. I've also seen keyboards with missing keys and headphones
with the padding ripped apart. Those things don't happen when you are gentle with the
computer equipment. You show respect for the computer equipment when you follow this expectation.
Number 2: Students should write on their own paper, and never on computer equipment.
This means I should never see writing on the table or counter, on the keyboards, or on
the computer screen. Writing on the computer equipment is considered vandalism; that's
a big word for purposely damaging something. A principled person does not vandalize computer
equipment.
Number 3: Students should work only in assigned applications.
Using the computers is a privilege. Before computers, students had to do all of the same
work, but they had to do it on paper, and it wasn't nearly as fun. Sometimes it is tempting
to play a game or open a new program when you're using a computer, but that is not why
we go to the computer lab or use the computers in the classroom. If your teacher sees you
doing something that was not part of the assignment, you may be pulled off of the computer and
have to do your work on paper instead.
From my office, I can look at what is happening on any computer in the whole school. Here
is what it looks like. I can see what program every student in the computer lab is using.
You never know when I'm watching, and you don't want me to catch you in a program you
aren't supposed to be in.
Sometimes you may think that no one is watching. Even then, you should work in the assigned
application, because that is how you demonstrate integrity.
Number 4: Students would work quietly.
When you are working on a computer in the lab or in the classroom, you will disturb
others from their work if you make noise. Raise your hand if you have a question, and
don't talk to the person next to you. You have your own work to do; focus on that. You
can show that you care about others by not disturbing them from their work.
Number 5: Students should leave the floor and workstations clean, and take all belongings
with them.
When your teacher says it is time to leave the computer in the lab or your classroom,
you should automatically check the space around you for any trash or scrap paper and pick
it up. You should also leave the keyboard, mouse, and headphones in their proper places.
Your teacher should not need to check and make sure you did it correctly. You should
be able to check it yourself. This is how you show independence.
The last expectation is so important that I made a diagram to go with it. Here is an
illustration of how you should leave the workstation. You should never touch the computer itself,
so it should be at the back of the table at all times. When you leave, you should pull
the keyboard and mouse forward, and place the headphones in the space in the middle.
It is important that you leave the workstations perfect so that it is ready for the class
or student that uses the computer next.
Yesterday I walked through and took these pictures at the end of the day. Look at how
the computers have been moved. The keyboards, mice, and headphones are not in the right
place, and there is paper on the table. I'll be very disappointed if I see the labs or
classrooms looking like this in the future.
I'm going to be walking through the classrooms and computer labs and watching to make sure
that everyone is following these expectations. This is what I should see: computers that
are perfectly lined up, because the students have not moved them; keyboards and mice that
have been pulled forward; headphones placed in the space in the middle; and no trash,
paper, or other belongings. Remember, we should be respectful, principled, and caring, and
show integrity and independence whenever we use the computers.