Learn
Go Back
Topic 5: Chromebooks and Your Classroom
Digital Citizenship
Now is an important time to discuss some important digital citizenship points that will help your students stay safe online. Since the district will offer additional professional development on this topic, I will briefly go over some key points to ensure the safety of your students.
- Read this article which offers Internet Safety Tips for Elementary Students.
- This article from Common Sense Media gives more suggestions.
- Follow this link to watch leveled Digital Citizenship videos.
The links above would be great to share with students and parents at the beginning of the year.
Procedures
Every successful classroom begins with a strong foundation. Imagine a classroom without procedures. Students need clear expectations and boundaries in order to be successful. The same is true when integrating a device into the classroom. There are many procedures to consider when launching a 1:1 device initiative. Planning out Chromebook procedures will keep students on task and limit the amount of disruptions. Below is a suggested list of procedures that will set your students up for success.
- Retrieving the device
- Transporting the device
- When it is appropriate to use the device?
- How to handle the device
- Which sites/ games can be used, when they can be used?
- What to do when the teacher is talking
- Voice level
- Device volume level
- How will students know when it is
- Battery life
- Charging the battery
- Putting the device away
- Cleaning your device
- What to do if you have a question
- What do do if your device is not working
- How to access the internet
- How to log in
- Appropriate uses of the device
- Device care
- Liquids
- Backgrounds and screensavers
- Can students list to music, play non educational games?
- Using the camera
In the "Apply" section, you will be asked to create a presentation that will introduce your students to some of the procedures listed above.
Timeline for Integration
As the saying goes, "Rome was not built in a day." When thinking about integrating a 1:1 initiative, is important to remember that device roll out is a process. It may not be appropriate to give your students a Chromebook on the first day of school as the beginning of the year is an important time for setting up classroom expectations and building a positive classroom community. Giving students devices with a whole list of other procedures may be too much! It may be appropriate to wait until the first month of school is over, then introduce the device. Start slow! Day one will probably include how to log in and some basic procedures. After reviewing the procedures during the first week, you may start integrating one website or app at a time. This list and the level of integration can grow as the year progresses. As always, think about your specific grade level and what would be most appropriate for your classroom setting. One final note, remember, Rome was not built in a day! This year will be a learning process for you and your students. Don't get discouraged if everything does not go as perfectly as planned. Learn from your mistakes and capitalize on your successes. Year one of anything is always the most challenging and if you need a little motivation, watch this video below!
Resources
Common Sense Media. 2014. Common Sense on Internet Safety for Elementary School Kids. [online] Available at: http://center.nrsd.net/assets/files/internetsafetyelem-tip.pdf [Accessed: 6 Apr 2014].
Commonsensemedia.org. (2014). Internet Safety Tips for Elementary School Kids. [online] Retrieved from: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/internet-safety-tips-for-elementary-school-kids [Accessed: 6 Apr 2014].
YouTube. (2009). Best Motivation Video Ever. [online] Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmTxr7OsPj0 [Accessed: 6 Apr 2014].
Up Next:
