This week Pat Downing, a mother, computer lab supervisor and chat room monitor shares her insights into computer and Internet use at school. What should we as parents be aware of and how can we help our children gain school success with the help of this new technology?

Computer/Internet Use at School

1. Find out what your school's policy is regarding use of the Internet and review all these rules with your child. Be sure they understand what they can and cannot do, and why. Policies will vary from school to school. And most involve inappropriate use and restricted subject matter.

2. Ask what the school's word-processing programs are (WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, etc.). It will be beneficial to you to have the same one or one that will be compatible. Unless there is a policy against it, your child will be able, with the use of a disk, to work on the same document at home and at school. There are many students who do all of their work at home and suddenly need to use the school's system to print their papers if a problem occurs with their home system. If their software at home is not compatible with that of the school, there is very little the school can do. (And for some reason I have not yet understood, most of their work needs to be printed on the day it is due!)

3. Encourage your child to follow the rules regarding care of computer equipment at their school. Usually those sacred rules involve:
   • use of food and beverages near the computers
   • inappropriate use of the Internet
   • attempts to invade the security system
   • changed settings on the hard drives
   For kids today, knowledge of computers defines who they are and their value to their peers. And they are very anxious to prove themselves and gain respect. Too often they do this at the expense of their own use of the school's resources – I have seen many students banned for a semester or even the entire school year for breaking these rules. There are universities that ban students for life for attempting to invade the security system!

4. Check with your school to see if they have a Web page. This can be a great source of information for both parents and kids. It may contain general school district information, specific information about your school and sometimes even homework assignments.

   The Internet has so many incredibly good resources for people of all ages. The online reference materials and news services are invaluable to students today as they research different subjects. But it also offers harmful garbage. As a parent, I encourage you to do surprise visits while your child is online. Go over and read what is on their screen. If it is inappropriate, talk to them about it. Get to know the Internet yourself. Don't be afraid to ask questions! Ask your school, public library and local university for a list of the best sites for students. During the school year, there are many "Homework Sites" manned by educators to help kids with their homework. Last year, one was offered Sunday through Thursday nights 4:30 to 9:00 Central Time at:

   http://www.CESA10.k12.wi.us/

   The importance and influence of the Internet is no longer a debatable issue today. It is a fact of life. Parental involvement is the key to keeping your child informed, successful and safe.