Computer Management Ideas

Computer Lab Rules can include: (You don’t have to use all the rules)

• Enter and exit the computer lab quietly
• Respect other lab users and the staff
• Limit your printing
• No food or drinks allowed at the computers
• Help keep the lab neat and clean
• Keep the computer settings the way it is
• Listen carefully to instructions and follow the teacher’s directions
• Stay in your seat while working at your computer
• Help your neighbor only when asked
• Use the proper voice while in the lab
• Do not bang on keyboards
• Respect the equipment. Do not touch or tamper with cords and plug-ins
• Keep your chair on its four legs at all times

Violations of the above rules will be dealt with according to school disciplinary policies or consequences set by the classroom.

· 1^st violation: Warning

· 2^nd violation: Students are denied computer lab use. All assignments will be completed with paper and pencil or classroom teacher will assign an alternate assignment.

· 3^rd violation: A letter and a call to parent(s) or guardian.

· 4^th violation: Students are denied computer lab use for the current school year.

Room Arrangement:

• Easy student access
• Easy teacher access for presenting, modeling, and process writing etc.
• Easily supervised
• Provide enough space for small group interaction
• Keep the computer(s) away from direct sunlight, water, magnets, and chalk dust

Ideas:

• Provide opportunities for cooperative learning.
• Post computer rights and responsibilities, guidelines for help, and expected behavior near the computer station.
• Display posters using computer terms and commands.
• You may want to create two folders, one for completed projects and one for work in progress. Have a checklist available so that, after each session, students can indicate whether their project is complete or additional time is needed.
• Encourage students to quickly print articles and read them at their desks while different students use the computer for new tasks.
• Use peer partnership/mentors/volunteers
• Consider having students work in pairs or small groups
• Consider computer skill and specific assignment when pairing students
• Change partners according to needs
• Peer evaluation of computer projects is key
• The use of “trained experts” among class members is helpful
• Consider the use of computer buddies to introduce new computer skills
• Provide a sample of the completed work for a particular session
• Provide students with a step by step checklist. Have students sign and attach the checklist to the completed project. Be sure to include a proofreading checklist.
• When teaching a computer skill, templates can be very valuable. When using a template, each student or team can rotate through the activity and the original will not be altered or lost. This allows for a more self-guided lesson.
• Use large fonts when using PowerPoint presentations with your lessons so that students can see.
• Create bookmarks of sites for the students.
• Assign roles related to computer use: typer, mouse operator, leader, timer, reader, editor, spell checker, etc.
• Have students plan their use of the computer before they get on it. For example, they should plan searches (write down key words) before getting on the internet.
• Use the one computer as a station with pairs/groups of kids. This works well if you are doing projects or problem-based learning. Students work on the project, and the computer is one of many activities to solve the problem or do the project.
• Have a student who serves as “Computer Assistant.” If students have a question, they are to go to the Computer Assistant for help. If the Assistant doesn’t know, then they can ask the teacher.
• Demo new software or projects using some sort of projecting system to allow students to visualize the directions.
• Design projects to be completed in small parts, so that directions will become simple. Have instructions clearly spelled out and in small chunks.
• Tip Sheet: Classroom Management - Strategies for Managing students on one computer or a limited number of computers.
• Classroom Management Techniques – Has information about scheduling computer time, record keeping or keeping track of turns, journals, computer center or station approach, and group work.