computer lab

COMPUTER LAB CURRICULUM

Students use these computer programs in the lab:

Internet Explorer

Word

Excel

Power Point

Photo Story

Reader Rabbit I

Reader Rabbit II

Type to Learn, Jr. and Type to Learn 3

Thinking Things 2

Google Earth

Earth Browser

Numbers Undercover

Kidspiration

KidPix 4

WEB PAGE AUTHORING

Teachers can create their own pages using the District's web authoring tools. They need to send an email to rford@d131.org before creating a page. Web pages made by former Gates students are still online from past years under Web Club .

Parent computer classes

Computer classes for beginner and advanced will be offered in the fall and spring of 2010. Dates and times will be sent home once the plans are complete. Clases para instrucción en el uso de computadoras están planeadas para el año 2009-2010. Las clases son para iniciarlos en el uso de las computadoras, el internet y tambien para destrezas más avanzadas. Una noticia de las fechas se mandará a casa en el Otoño.

FOR STUDENTS USING THE COMPUTER LAB

Before using the school's internet, you must have a School User Agreement on file with the school office. This assures that everyone using the internet on school computers will have a safe experience, and will use technology tools in appropriate ways.

When students and parents sign the Acceptable Use Policy, it means that rules to use the computers at school will be followed. It is important to respect school property by following basic procedures. Handle software and hardware carefully to prevent damage. Keep food and drinks away from the computer. Ask a teacher or responsible adult for help if you need it.

A computer virus is a miniature software program that deliberately harms or destroys data files, computer software or computer hardware. Computer viruses can enter the computer from a file that is downloaded from the internet, or from an infected floppy disk, or e-mail attachment. School computers use the antivirus program, Command. It is located near the computer's clock/calender in the lower right hand corner and looks like C. The most important thing is not to open an email attachment or file that looks suspicious. If you don't know who it's from, DONT OPEN IT!

Treat the Internet like a real place. Your child is beginning to go places and do things more independently. The Internet is another one of those places. It's reasonable for you to know "where" your child is going online and "who" he or she is talking to--even if you're not there yourself.

Remind your child not to share identifying or family information such as last name, address, phone number, credit card numbers, etc.

Keep your computer "public" and highly visible in your home. Don't put computers in isolated rooms, where kids may not have you around to guide them. Try high-traffic rooms instead where you can keep tabs on the web sites they are using.

Set clear privacy rules. You may require that you know your child's computer password, or you may decide to visit the sites your child visited by using the web browser's "history" function. Whatever is decided, be sure everyone in your family knows the rules before logging on.

Help your child set boundaries. Tell children not to respond to online messages that make them uncomfortable, and to come to you or an adult they trust if they see something online that concerns them.