2. Handle computers with care
• Classroom computers are an investment that you and your school
want to last.
• Teach kids how computers should be handled and how they shouldn’t
be handled, and make sure students know what the consequences
are for not treating computers with care.
3. No food or drink
• The only thing worse than Hot Cheeto grime on a keyboard is an
upturned water bottle.
• Students should never have food or drink anywhere near computers.
• A food-free workspace will keep computers clean and safe.
4. Leave your computer how you found it
• Using computers is a privilege.
• To earn that privilege, you must leave a computer and workspace in
the same state it was in when you found it.
• If your students are using a laptop cart, this means putting the laptop
in its assigned spot and making sure it’s plugged in.
5. Surf safely
• Part of being a responsible user of technology is only accessing
appropriate sites at given times.
• It is also useful to post a list in the classroom of sites that are always
off-limits (sorry, Facebook).
6. Keep your files organized
• Don’t let a student’s desktop become the digital version of his hectic
book bag.
• Set aside a few minutes at the beginning or end of working on an
assignment to ensure that students are saving unfinished work
somewhere that they will be able to find it next time.
7. Respect others
• You should never type something that you wouldn’t say out loud to
someone.
• Whether it is through email, messages, or on a classroom message
board, students need to maintain the same respectful tone that they
would use in verbal discussions and interactions when
communicating online.
8. Log off
• Logging off is like the digital version of cleaning up after yourself in
the classroom.
• Students need to leave the computer ready for the next user.
• Logging off is also important to make sure that student work and
accounts stay private.
9. Work quietly
• Oftentimes computer work, whether it’s working on typing skills or
writing an outline, requires independent concentration.
• Let students know what volume they should be working at to ensure
that everyone is able to work without distraction.
