| This page tells you how to use a limited number of laptops in the classroom,
how to care for and protect laptops, and how to facilitate student communication
on computers.
Limited
Numbers of Laptops
When
laptops are limited, teachers can arrange for group use, rotational use,
and free time access of the computers. Students can also check out laptops
overnight or during vacations.
Care
of Laptops
Laptops
are portable, which means they can be taken everywhere—even into the mud
and the rain. Special care must be taken of these computers, as for all
scientific and electronic equipment.
- Keep all
equipment dry and clean.
- If you
are using a laptop where it is wet or muddy, put the keyboard in a clear
plastic bag.
- On field
trips, use a dry box and a wet box to separate supplies and equipment.
- Air-dry
all equipment at the end of the activity.
- For younger
classes, adult chaperones can be responsible for equipment.
- Assign
older students the responsibility of keeping track of each piece of
equipment.
Laptop
Security
It
is easier to lock up a portable computer than a desktop computer, which
must be left at a workstation. Some laptops are sold in sets and fit in
racks, which roll into classrooms or closets and also serve as recharging
stations.
Saving
Work on a Computer
Remind
students to save work frequently on laptops and on all computers. If you
are creating a spreadsheet for your students that uses formulas, lock
the formulas to protect them from being changed accidentally. Most spreadsheet
programs have instructions for how to protect files.
Facilitating
Communication
Teachers
can take several steps to facilitate student communication with experts
through email or the Internet.
- Encourage
students to send mail to a group of experts.
- Depending
on the age of the students, the teacher may want to review communications
for appropriate grammar, content, and etiquette.
- Adults
sometimes misjudge the maturity of student corespondents, so students
may request that experts send responses to you first. Take care not
to filter too much—one of the advantages of using laptop computers is
that students can find out information on their own.
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