Kids vandalizing computer files and keyboards

by overwhelmed

Oct 24, 2009

I am new to teaching computers. I have a class of 24 8th graders. 1 of them is a special ed kid who really could use an aide but doesn't have one. The computers frequently freeze, in spite of my many work orders.

I'm having a really tough time. The kids have gone into other kids' files on the shared drive and deleted their work, pried the keys off the keyboards and put them on upside down, taken the tracking balls out of the mice...

And I can't watch every kid every minute. It's tough to accuse someone if you don't see them doing it. I"m not in that room all the time.

What can I do?

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OP Thanks everyone, for trying to help. Haven't been on the board. I have been so depressed about this, it's not even funny.

I have gone to the principal. As a new teacher, I was reluctant to do so. I didn't want it to look like I couldn't handle my classroom. And just so you know, I used to do network admin (15 years ago), so I'm reasonably ...See More

Dec 5, 2009

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OP Again I realize that so many teachers are working under less than perfect conditions. How do you manage the frustration? I don't want to become burnt out.

Thanks.

Dec 5, 2009

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Neal On 12/05/09, OP Again wrote: > I realize that so many teachers are working under less than perfect > conditions. How do you manage the frustration? I don't want to become > burnt out.

You learn to solve problems with the power(s)/tools you are provided. Don't promise or threaten anything you can not deliver.

Apparently y...See More

Dec 5, 2009

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PW Whenever I have had a class I couldn't trust with the computers, I walked around the classroom all period and stood behind the students at at all times. I know that this doesn't prevent students on the other side of the room from getting into mischief, but at least they were aware that I was watching. I also made sure that I assigned computers and ...See More

Dec 5, 2009

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OP Thanks. I really appreciate it.

Dec 7, 2009

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