creating classroom technology rules · classroom technology rules help establish clear guidelines...

˚ Only go to approved/assigned sites

˚ Never give out personal informat ion

˚ Use Good net iquette

˚ Don’t meet of fline

˚ Don’t write in all CAPS

˚ Don’t share passwords

˚ Treat the computers/ tablets gent ly

˚ Type quiet ly

˚ Don’t be a cyberbully

˚ Move carefully while holding laptops

Creating Classroom Technology Rules

Classroom technology rules help establish clear guidelines for how students will work and interact online and sets the tone for a safer, more successful year. Try incorporating this rule creation technique into your first few weeks of rulemaking and expectation-setting to help create a community of good digital citizens! Ideal for grades 3 through 5.

MATERIALS: Chart paper (2 pages) Markers (black for writing, other colors for categorizing)

PROCEDURE:1. Ask students if they know what “good Netiquette” or “good digital citizenship” means.

Good Netiquette/ Digital Citizenship is:

˚ Using only kind words online

˚ Avoiding all CAPS

˚ Using good manners online

2. Explain to students that everyone will work together to create rules that will help the class have fun and stay safer while going online at school.

3. Ask students what rules they think should be in place when going online. Write suggestions down on a piece of chart paper. Accept all suggestions. The list will be long! This is good, you will work to consolidate them later. Possible rules may include:

TIME: 20-30 MINUTES

4. After a long list of rules has been created, have students review them and look for overarching ideas.

Are there rules that could fit under a broader category like “how to treat computers”, “how to talk to others online”, “how to be safe online”, etc.?

Watch videos and play games at NetSmartzKids.orgCopyright © 2016 National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. All rights reserved. Animated Characters Excluding Tera Copyright © 2000-2016 National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. All rights reserved.

September 2016

˚ Only go to approved/assigned sites

˚ Never give out personal informat ion


˚ Don’t meet of fline


˚ Don’t share passwords

˚ Treat the computers/ tablets gent ly

˚ Type quiet ly



Be polite online




Treat devices with respect

˚ Treat the computers/tablets gent ly

˚ Type quiet ly


5. Color code categories that students point out.

Example: All of the rules pertaining to “how to be kind online” get circled in green marker.

6. After color coding the list, work with students to condense the most important points from each category into one short sentence to become a class rule. For example, the following items can be condensed into:

7. After condensing your list of rules into 4 or 5 overarching ideas, write them on a clean piece of chart paper. Hang the chart paper low so that students can individually sign it, reminding students that by signing the rules, they are agreeing to follow them.

8. Keep the rules near the computers in the classroom, low enough that students can reference them easily during the first weeks of school.

OPTIONAL FOLLOW-UP:Have students complete the matching worksheet (Attachment 1) to reinforce the rules.

Creating Classroom Technology Rules (cont.)


September 2016

Attachment 1

Our Class is Full of Good Digital Citizens!

Read the situations in column A and draw a line to the matching digital citizenship tip in column B.

“Toss me the speakers!”

“Hey, let me have your password so I can log onto

the game!”

“SurfGurL4: Want to meet me at the park

on Friday?”

“Can another gamer help me beat this final level,

please?”

“I need to enter my email to sign up for this

game, mom.”

“I DON’T KNOW!!”

“Oh! This pop-up says I won a free gift!”

˚ Always use manners while online.

˚ Don’t write in all CAPS.

˚ Handle the computers gently.

˚ Don’t share passwords or other personal information.

˚ Don’t meet offline with anyone you’ve first met online.

˚ Ask a trusted adult before entering personal information.

˚ Be careful of Ads, Pop-Ups and suspicious emails.

Column A Column B


September 2016

creating classroom technology rules · classroom technology rules help establish clear guidelines...

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