About this Daily Classroom Special
Bits & Bytes combines technology objectives, activity ideas, web sites, and
resources in an effort to make it easier for everyone to incorporate technology into their instruction. Bits & Bytes is maintained by Barbara Smith, Magnet Coordinator at Harvard
Elementary, Houston (TX) and Teachers Network web mentor.
To the Bits & Bytes Directory K - 12
Follow acceptable use policies when using computers.
Some good guidelines to follow when using technology:
- Do not use a computer to harm other people or their work.
- Do not damage the computer or the network in any way.
- Do not interfere with the operation of the network by installing
illegal software, shareware, or freeware.
- Do not violate copyright laws.
- Do not view, send, or display offensive messages or pictures.
- Do not share your password with another person.
- Do not waste limited resources such as disk space or printing
capacity.
- Do not trespass in another's folders, work, or files.
- Do notify an adult immediately, if by accident, you encounter
materials which violate the rules of appropriate use.
- BE PREPARED to be held accountable for your actions and for
the loss of privileges if the Rules of Appropriate Use are violated.
Source:
Houston Independent School District. "Acceptable Use Policy" updated
March 3, 2000 (March 3, 2000)
Activities:
* Discuss acceptable use rules, consequences, and need for them.
* Find newspaper articles about computer abuse. What kind of damage was
done? How much did it cost? How much money do schools spend on technology
yearly (per child)? How does abuse by one person affect the resources
for all students?
* Model behaviors of how to act and what to say when a student is encouraged
by others to use computers improperly.
* Compare character education lessons to ethics of computer use.
* Make a timeline of events concerning child safety and the Internet.
[History of a Child Safe
Internet]
* View search engines and browsers that are kid-friendly, and teach students
how to use them.
Yahooligans
Historical United
States Census Data Browser
KiddoNet Lots of great, easily-accessible activities,
but child-safe browser asks you to download software.
BONUS.COM*
Crayon Crawler
Mostly
entertainment, but has some good lists and activities.
CYBERHAUNTS
FOR KIDS
The keys to safe computer use by children are:
- Supervision. Check your children's use frequently. Have classroom
computers' screens turned toward the class so you may glance over frequently
and monitor what they do.
- Education. Teach children how to use the Internet and their computers
responsibly. They should learn how to search well, how to preview site
descriptions and addresses, which software they may use, and adhere
to acceptable use policies.
View the policies of other school districts:
Houston Independent School District [Houston,
Texas]
Cartersville
City School District, Georgia
Warren Township High School Computer Usage Policy [
Gurnee, IL]
University of Nebraska [Lincoln,
Nebraska]
Unionville-Chadds Ford School District [Kennett
Square, Pennsylvania]
Hillsboro Elementary School, Hillsboro, North
Dakota
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