Tech team members also provided these simple lists of rules you can post in your classroom, media center, or tech lab.
From Fred Holmes, webmaster at Osceola High School, in Osceola, Nebraska:
Respect the hardware and software.
Have all necessary applications open and active.
Read the instructions on the computer screen before asking for help.
Do not surf the Internet or read e-mail when you're supposed to be listening to the teacher or working on an assignment.
Stay out of other people's files.
Log off when you're finished. From Julia Timmons, instructional technology specialist at P.L. Dunbar Middle School for Innovation, in Lynchburg, Virginia:
Bring only necessary materials to the computer lab -- no backpacks. (This keeps backpacks from knocking plugs loose and minimizes obstructions in the rows while I'm walking around helping students.)
Do not bring food or drink, lotions, or combs near the computers.
Do not alter anything on the desktop or hard drive.
Store documents in network folders, not on the hard drive.
Get a teacher's permission before using a disk.
If you finish assignments or have extra computer time, work on other school projects.
All computer use must have an educational basis. No game playing.
From Madeleine Decker, sixth-grade teacher and webmaster at Washington Intermediate School, in Pekin, Illinois:
Use only the "safe surf" search engines posted on the bulletin board.
Access only teacher-bookmarked files.
Do not install any programs without the teacher's permission.
Do visit the Washington Intermediate School Web site at any time.
From Kim Logie, third-grade teacher at Cesar Chavez Academy, in Detroit, Michigan:
Log on using your own name.
Don't eat or drink near the computers.
Respect your time and others' time.
Take turns using programs.
Ask for help if you don't understand something.
Have fun!
From Eve Datisman, library media specialist at Forks High School, in Forks, Washington:
Boot correctly and follow established log-on procedures.
Respect yourself -- don't give out your log-on name and password.
Get organized -- have your task at hand and use your time wisely.
Respect others -- don't hog the machines.
Report malfunctions and glitches -- it saves time and energy.
Take responsibility for your actions -- clean up your site.
Log-off -- leave the station ready for the next person to use.