Policies

  • Chromebook Cart Guidelines

    2018-2019 School Year

     

    Non-Negotiables

    • Develop a system so you know which student has which device at any given time.
    • Actively monitor students and control their access with DyKnow. If any students are on Chromebooks, the teacher must be signed in to DyKnow and actively using the program.
    • Keep carts organized, secured, and ready for teaching and learning. Report any damage or problems immediately.
    • Use technology to enhance teaching and learning, and make effective use of the many digital teaching and learning resources available.
    • Misuse or mismanagement of Chromebook carts will result in your cart being allocated elsewhere in our school.
    • Substitute teachers are not to use Chromebook carts.
    • Your cart will be used for testing in your room or elsewhere in the building multiple times throughout the year. You will be given advance notice when your cart will be needed.

    Accountability

    • Your Chromebook cart is worth approximately $10,000,  has been checked out to you in the Neal Middle School inventory, and has been assigned to your username in the district’s Information Technology Asset Management system. It is your responsibility. See DPS Board Policy 3040.7/5150.7 for additional information.

    Contacts

    • Justin Wylie, Instructional Technology Facilitator
    • DPS Help Desk - (919) 560-3837 [Note: Only contact if Mr. Wylie is out of the building. Resolutions will not be immediate.]

    Designing Lessons

    • Technology alone does nothing to improve teaching and learning. One easy way to ensure that your use of technology in instruction is effective is to follow the four c’s: collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and creative thinking.
    • When designing a lesson, ask yourself the following questions:
      • Does your use of technology allow for more collaboration?
      • Does your use of technology increase critical thinking opportunities?
      • Does your use of technology allow students to clearly communicate their ideas in a unique way?
      • Does your use of technology encourage students to demonstrate creative thinking?

    Managing Your Cart

    • Cleaning
      • Chromebooks, especially those with touchscreens, are fingerprint and germ magnets. Please clean your devices fairly regularly.
      • The best way to clean a Chromebook is to use Clorox wipes. Ensure the device is powered off, use the wipe to clean the device, and then dry it with a paper towel.
    • Damage
      • Ensure that any damage is reported immediately and responsible students are held accountable.
      • Your cart needs to stay in the condition in which it was issued to you. Issues like scratched screens, missing keyboard keys, vandalism, and missing webcams are not normal wear and tear; they are issues that stem from a lack of supervision and even neglect on teachers' parts. Please follow all Neal Middle School policies for Chromebook and technology use.
    • Organization
      • Keep carts organized, secured, and ready for teaching and learning. Report any damage or problems immediately. (Non-Negotiable)
      • Always know where all of your Chromebooks are and who has them at any given time (Non-Negotiable).
      • Before and after each class, ensure that all Chromebooks are accounted for, are in the correct spaces, and are plugged in.
      • All Chromebooks are numbered and labeled, and labels are secured with Gorilla Tape. Do not allow students to vandalize or remove labels.
    • Power
      • Ensure that all Chromebooks are plugged in to the correct charger.
      • Ensure that the cart is plugged in and Chromebooks are charging.
      • Check the plug in the wall. If your cart has multiple plugs, keep them all plugged in.
      • Check where the plug connects to the cart. This can come loose.
      • Check that the toggle switch (red on most carts) is turned on and lit up.
    • Security
      • Lock your cart when it is not in use, and do not give out your lock combination to students. If you need to change your lock combination at any time, please let Mr. Wylie know.
      • If you lose your lock, you will need to replace it. The model number is a Masterlock 175D or a Masterlock 178D, available at the links provided.
      • Do not allow Chromebooks to leave your room.
      • Do not allow students to bring Chromebooks home.

    Managing Your Students

    • Develop a system so you know which student has which device at any given time (Non-Negotiable).
    • Actively monitor students and control their access with DyKnow (Non-Negotiable).
    • Take advantage of opportunities to teach students safe, ethical, and responsible uses of technological resources.
    • Develop routines for students to retrieve and return their Chromebooks. This process should take very little class time if done effectively.
    • If a student is off-task, consider restricting technology access and give that student a paper copy of the assignment. Being the only student without computer access in a class can be a great reminder and motivator for some students.
    • If a student is destructive toward a computer, please do not allow them to continue to use computers in your class, at least temporarily. Computer use is a privilege.
    • Please do not allow students to eat or drink while using computers, and please make sure they wash their hands after eating to ensure that no food gets on the computer or in the keyboard.
    • Ensure that students log out after using their Chromebooks. This can be a teachable moment as we teach our students about digital citizenship.

    Observations and Spot Checks

    • Mr. Wylie will do frequent spot checks and observations to ensure that carts and devices are being used and managed effectively.

    Troubleshooting Common Issues