Discipline in the Computer Lab
From WikEd
Contents |
[edit] Descriptions and Definitions
Discipline in the computer lab is divided into numerous issues: equipment, Internet usage, accessing files, and basic classroom behavior. Just as in a regular classroom, discipline varies between technology coordinators, however there are some basic rules which may help all educators organize and manage not only technology but the classroom itself. Since technology is still a new frontier in many aspects, we are constantly learning how it can be successfully integrated into the classroom and how it benefits the children. Also, since the Internet is the last non-regulated frontier, we as teachers must work hard to instill rules for the children, so that their technology experience is not only a pleasurable one but an educationally successful one.
Software and Hardware programs are available to help teachers maintain student discipline in the classroom as well. Much of it is expensive and difficult to implement, so it remains used in only a small number of schools.
[edit] The Equipment
The equipment in the computer lab probably makes that room the most expensive in the school. Special guidelines must be set to ensure that the machines are not damaged and used to their full potential. Here are some examples of computer lab discipline dealing with the equipment:
1. No food or drink allowed in the lab.
2. Assign the children seats for the year.
3. Students are to only touch their assigned computer.
4. Children are not allowed to touch the wiring.
5. Children will be reprimanded for banging on the keyboards or other pieces of equipment.
6. Remind the children that touching the monitor leaves oily fingerprints.
7. Attach plastic hooks to monitors to hang headphones on when they're not being used.
8. Students must ask permission to print, or for younger students, the teacher does all the printing.
9. Backpacks are not allowed in the lab or they must be left in a designated area upon entering the lab.
10. Use headphones without sponges to decrease the spreading of lice or for older students who use the lab ask them to bring thier own set of headphones.
11. Do not personalize the computers, for example: installing screen savers, changing the desktop background, or changing the video and audio settings.
12. If a problem is encountered always ask the teacher for help never attemt to "fix" it yourself.
13. If you see another student disobeying the rules notify the teacher right away.
[edit] Internet Usage
While students are using the Internet, unsolicated communications, undesired websites and unnecessary surfing (i.e. wasting time) are the difficulties which must be addressed before students enter a computer lab. If they are not addressed they can manifest into discipline problems. One of the most common precursors to computer lab usage is an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). An AUP contract states what is expected from the children when they are using the computer and if those expectations are not followed disciplinary action is taken. This a a prime example of a rules and consquences discipline in action. While an AUP is a general discipline contract it usually focuses strongly on the dangers which can occur while using the Internet and steps if they do occur. Here is the Acceptable Use Policy that is used at St. John Fisher School in Chicago, IL. It is important too, that the parents of the children read and sign the AUP. This helps the parents to understand the dangers of improper usage, exposure to unnecessary content, but most importantly helps the parents know that acceptable use is as important to the school as it is to the parents.
Even before the children sign an AUP, the technology coordinator should have installed a firewall. Wikipedia describes a firewall as "a piece of hardware or software which functions in a networked environment to prevent some communications forbidden by the security policy". To further explore Wikipedia description you can check out the website. Just like anything else, firewalls are not perfect. Most firewall are based on word filtering, so if an undesired word is found on a website by the firewall, children can not access this site. However if the word is spelled just slightly differently then the firewall does not pick it up. This the same with images. The firewall may not block an image if an aspect of the picture is covered. Yet that does not mean that it is an image we want the students to see. Also some internet creators try to lure users to their site by changing the extension.
The Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education offers some excellent links to other accpetable use policies, companies offering firewalls and wonderful tips about safety for parents and teachers.
[edit] Accessing Files
The topic of accessing other student files varies based on the level of the students and the network in the lab. Colleges and universities have unique difficulties such as sharing files (such as music and movies), stealing other student files and the transferring of viruses through files. Many universities, such as the University of Illinois try to thwart these problems by instilling strict guidelines when it comes to passwords. By enforcing strong password rules such as using a certain number of letters, alternating with numbers and using capitalization hinders the ability for hackers to access other student files. At the elementary school level, many schools are just now discovering file tampering as more and more schools discover the joys and headaches of being networked. As with every other aspect of technology, the most important form of defense is teacher observation. Discussion of deleting other students' work, stealing other students' work or even opening files that do not belong to the student should be major topics in the AUP policy. In addition, active monitoring by the teacher should also occur. Software to aide the teacher in her observation is also available. Microsoft's Small Business Server, for example, allows the administrator to backup files automatically. This allows the administrator to "turn back the clock" if a document suddenly "disappears". The software also allows the teacher to watch a machine remotely as a student works and can perform a "google type" search within the school population to look for inappropriate behavior.
[edit] Basic Classroom Behavior
Besides the new discipline rules that come to surface, we also make sure that the children are repsective and kind. Here are some general classroom rules which are important should be followed in the computer lab. For younger students: We raise our hand to speak.
We are kind and respect each other.
We keep hands, feet and objects to ourselves.
We share.
We walk in the classroom and halls.
We keep our room neat and clean.
We listen when our teacher or classmate is speaking.
We follow directions.
For older students:
I will always do my best
I will positively participate in all classroom activities
I will stay on task without disturbing or distracting others
I will not use ‘put downs’ or harass others
I will respect other people’s differences and opinions
I will raise my hand to speak
I will enter and exit the room quietly
I will complete all assignments on time
I will actively listen when the teacher is speaking
[edit] Evidence of effectiveness
[edit] Signed "life experiences", testimonies and stories
Using technology can be a difficult thing. You are usually out of your classroom in a computer lab and this takes the students out of their element. This opens the teacher up to a lot of different classroom management problems. One way to combat this is to give the students assignments that are interesting and fun. This gets them to focus on the task at hand. Another way to keep problems to a minimum is to have a program like NetTrakker ID that allows students to only get onto approved sites. This keeps the teacher at ease when it comes to students "accidentally" getting on inappropriate sites. Another thing that helps is to have the students have a seating chart. One more tip with keeping a computer lab running smoothly is to model the activity for the student. If a student is confused they will ask their neighbor or constantly ask questions. B. Moore
I just finished my first year of teaching and after my first trip to the Computer Lab, I never wanted to go again. I felt like I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to help each student. After this initial trip, I did have to make some special rules such as sitting boy/girl/boy/girl, no getting up, raise your hand AND WAIT if you need help, ect. Eventually it got better, but I will never forget that first time. Now, I have two room mothers come in to help at our regular computer lab time. I find that three bodies are better than one while students are waiting to solve "technological" programs. Sometimes, they still have to wait a bit, but I suppose I could always relate that to a self-lesson in the importance of patience. --Annie Craig, 2nd Grade Teacher
I enjoy working in the computer lab every day. Students really embrace technology and want to take part in it. Discipline is held differently than in a traditional classroom. I don't have as many dicipline problems as I would in a traditional classroom because the kids seem more focused on what they are working on, and many students enjoy working on the computer. It can sometimes get a little crazy when students ask so many questions but at the same end, at least they are interested. Students are monitored using VISION software, which reduces the amount of students checking email and looking at other websites they shouldn't be during classtime.C.McCulley
I couldn't agree more with Pat Reed below. Our school also operates with a firewall and acceptable use policy. Many times the computer lab is used by students without teacher supervision. This then falls to the librarian, who does not know the assignment and can only keep the students behavior at an appropriate level. Whomever is in charge of the computers should know the complete assignment. I love the idea of offering feedback and input suggestions to improve the project. This is a much better solution than 'game playing' or 'free surfing'. Thanks for the many suggestions. M. Youngblood
The firewall and the acceptable use policy are the backbone of maintaining positive behaviors in the computer lab. However, the success or failure of a teacher in making the use of technology to enrich the learning experience for students without problem behavior is highly dependent on the teacher's strategies. Lab experiences MUST be academically oriented and clearly defined to the students. Technology can be used well or abused. My experience is that problems occur when students don't have enough work to do. The technology project must tie into the curriculum and affect the students' grades. Opportunities must exist to enrich the project for those students who finish early. Allowing "game playing" or "free surfing" when a project is completed seems to wreak havoc in the lab. Also, the teacher must continually circulate the lab, ensuring that all students are on task. The best projects I've seen have been when the teacher is excited about the topic and the students' work in progress, continually offering input and suggestions. The students are engaged when the goal is not merely to finish the project, but to make the project awesome. Cooperative learning can be very effective, or it can backfire. Some structure is needed to ensure that all students are contributing members of the group, whether it be peer grading or other means. Pat Reed
In my Instructional Technology course I use wireless laptops in a regular classroom. I teach at a university so the "discipline" is somewhat different than working with younger students. Three important issues have come up with classroom management in my class.
- It is very tempting for students to check email while explanations are being given or content is being discussed. To remedy this situation, I ask students to "close the lids" on the laptop so that they are not distracted and I know I have the attention of the students. When it is time for the application, they can open the lids back up.
- Learning Microsoft Excel, as well as other applications, is very difficult to do on a laptop without a mouse. This is especially true for my students because most are being exposed to Excel for the first time. When the College of Education purchased mice for the laptops a whole new issue developed. Students were not being delicate with the mice and many prongs were bending, and several mice were useless. To solve this problem, I came up with the catch phrase "Be Nice to the Mice." The first few weeks of class I would have the entire class repeat the phrase and would demonstrate the proper way to insert the mouse into the port. This has helped greatly.
- A third issue developed when it was time to put the laptops away in the cart. Thirty laptops with their cords is a nightmare unless done properly. I decided to assign two "computer assistants" for each night of class and required the assistants to be responsible for the laptops being put away properly. They also check to make sure each one is plugged in to re-charge.
These three techniques have saved a lot of time and eleviated the need for discipline in the class. My goals is to model these techniques to my students so they will be able to use them in the classes they will eventually teach.--Benish 08:04, 1 May 2005 (CDT)
-We have one computer lab in our school for 1400 students. Getting in is only one of the issues. The computer lab technician is also responsible for all the teachers, staff, and administrators computers. She also is responsible for the library computers as well. As a result of her varied responsibilities, she is not always in the computer lab when classes are in the lab. It is the responsibility of the classroom teacher to provide discipline in the lab. For my students, I usually have a specific purpose and a specific list of web sites for their use. I inform them, before we even go to the lab, that if anyone is on any site that is not one of the listed sites, they will be removed from the lab, recieve a zero on the assignment, and they will loose all future priviledge of lab use while in my class. I have never had to enforce these consequences because the students know I will enforce them. C. Watson
Computer lab behavior must remain appropriate. It must be stated that the computer lab is a classroom and conduct should remain as such. Penalties for misbehavior are heavy at our district. A form is given to parents when they register for classes that is signed and filed at the high school office. Parents understand the consequences, but only a few admonish their children to keep the rules. Far too many students have lost computer lab privileges and must complete computer-type work either at home or at the local city library. Ah, the young and impetuous - will they ever learn? M. Uhls
Honestly, my rules for using the computer lab are no different than those I have in the classroom. Students know that accessing non-acceptable sites is one of those rules, do it once and you get a zero for the assignment and sit in the corner. Do it a second time, with any teacher, and you are out of the lab for the rest of the school year. Not hard to deal with kids who think they are funny, these are the rules - deal with it. DHeater
I agree with the statement above when they say that their classroom rules are the same as their lab rules. I also add other rules to keep the computer in as good of running shape as possible since it is our only lab. We rarely have any problems with students visiting inappropriate websites since our firewall does an excellent job of preventing this. Our biggest problem in our school is kids trying to play solitaire when they are practicing typing, but when they get a zero for doing it, it really cuts down on the number of times this happens. As more and more teachers become more comfortable using the internet in their daily classroom activities, I can see where this can become more of a problem, but in our school, I can honestly say that we have very few instances with discipline in the computer lab. -N. Hartz
My rules in the computer lab are very similar if not the same as my classroom rules. My students understand that they will be constantly watched, they sign in using their personal name and password, and have an AUP signed and on file in the office. Anything that occurs to the computer while they are on it is their responsibility. THis seems to help keep the computer lab a safe, fun, effective place for my students to work and learn. L. Gowler
As the "Tech guy" at my school, I have to say that the most concerning discipline issue for me is the improper use of the Internet. I am constantly worried about students deliberately or inadvertedly pulling up an image that is inappropriate. Of course, other rules are necessary as well, as has been mentioned. Tip- to control the headphones/lice issue, put each pair of headphones in a ziploc bag. The ziploc, when sealed, will kill lice within 24-48 hours. -S. Yunker
One of the problems with computer lab discipline in my school has been consistancy. Whether it is teacher ignorance, or lack of motivation to correct those that are in the wrong, the students get a mixed-bag of responses to poor behavior. Often times I believe that some of the teachers just do not know enough about the computers and/or the internet to notice when things are being misused. In other cases I believe some teachers just turn the other way to aviod the confrontation with the student. When students are confronted, they either wait until the teacher turns their back to continue their game or whatever. -R. Beane
Each teacher brings his/her own class to the computer lab. This leads to many problems in use of the lab. I constantly monitor what my students are doing in the lab, and if they are not following directions, they are immediately taken off of the computer. Some day when I bring my class in, the backgrounds are changed, the settings are changed, and many other problems. School wide expectations are in place, but many teachers simply do not have the training to use the lab appropriately. In the lab, like in the classroom, teachers need to have eyes in the back of their head, but they also need training on how to use the lab. E. Kilroy
The school I work at had some issues with our computer labs. Students were messing with the wires, stealing computer parts (mouse, keyboard, etc…) and leaving garbage everywhere. To address this, the technology committee decided to make every teacher and every student accountable for their actions. When a teacher signs out the computer lab they are required to have a seating chart. The students are required to initial the seating chart to confirm that their computer work station is in good working order. The initialed seating chart is collected by our tech person. He reviews them daily and is able to pinpoint computer misuse to the period, the teacher and the student. This has done wonders for our computer labs. So far this year we have only had one mouse taken compared to the dozens lost in the past!!!! Great success! ~V. Amen
Our school had a set of notebook computers that could be checked out and used in the classroom. These computers were soon destroyed in the classroom of one junior high teacher because of a lack of discipline. It is surprising how kids can tear up property without a second thought about the expense. M. Flessner
