Classroom Technology Rules
According to Linda Starr’s article on EducationWorld.com’s, “Digital Safety: Computer Rules Prevent Problems”, a teacher’s clearly communicating rules concerning the use of computers and tablets in the classroom is highly important. The article also suggests a few chiefly pertinent rules to be enacted. One item Starr suggests as very important to mention involves printing, especially students’ printing articles off of the Internet. Starr suggests that the teacher require all students to clear any printing with him/her prior to printing; this avoids wasting paper if the article is too long or the printing of any unforeseen pictures that could be embarrassing or waste color ink. Other rules Starr mentions as worthy of using in the classroom include: no eating or drinking around computers, have respect for the device you and others are using, do not install any program’s without the teacher’s permission, do not surf the web while the teacher is talking or giving instructions, and do not surf the Internet for anything other than what is related to the class (Starr, 2011).
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In her article, “Cell Phones in the Classroom: A Practical Guide for Educators”, Liz Kolb suggests that there are many useful lessons and projects that can be created through students’ usage of cell phones. She discusses that it is very important for teachers to cover proper cell phone etiquette prior to allowing students to use their phones and that it is also very important that teachers set clear ground rules for students. Some rules she suggests include: 1. Students must keep their cell phones off and out of sight until the instructor provides instruction. 2. Cell phones can only be used for activities as specified by the instructor. 3. If students misuse cell phones they can be confiscated or prohibited. She suggests using these rules because she argues that cell phone can really be very helpful in teaching and engaging students (Kolb, 2011)
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According to her article, “10 Classroom Technology Policies that Work”, Hannah Hudson gives teachers practical ways to help students use technology appropriately in the classroom. For students using a computer lab, she suggests having students mark their names off a visible list once they have used the computer as well as setting a timer to indicate when it is time to let another student on the computer. For classrooms that allow personal devices, she suggests holding up a red sign when the walk in the door to know not to have their devices out. In situations like test days or for when the teacher does not want the students to use their devices at all, she suggests collecting the phones in a shoe rack so that the phones are organized and out of sight. She discusses how technology can be beneficial in the classroom when used appropriately (Hudson, 2015).
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For additional information:
Digital Safety: Computer Rules Prevent Problems (http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech044.shtml)
The 7 Golden Rules for Using Technology at School (http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2011/07/06/the-seven-golden-rules-of-using-technology-in-schools/)
Practical Guidelines for Using Technology in the Classroom (http://www.crlt.umich.edu/gsis/p4_3)
Digital Safety: Computer Rules Prevent Problems (http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech044.shtml)
The 7 Golden Rules for Using Technology at School (http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2011/07/06/the-seven-golden-rules-of-using-technology-in-schools/)
Practical Guidelines for Using Technology in the Classroom (http://www.crlt.umich.edu/gsis/p4_3)