How to Teach Students to Care for Their Devices: Strategies for encouraging respect and responsibility for your school’s technology

As more public schools than ever now provide devices like laptops or tablets for their students to use during the school year, which increases digital equity and prepares students for higher education and the workforce. As a result, educators increasingly find themselves responsible for teaching their students how to care for their devices. Here are some ways teachers and administrators can encourage students to properly care for their school-owned devices.   

Clear Communication 

When it comes to your school’s policies for repairing and replacing damaged devices, communication is key. Start the year off by letting both students and their caregivers know about the expectations and policies around their devices. Be clear about the financial responsibility for repairing or replacing common items– for instance, how much families can expect to pay if a device suffers damage from spilled liquid or to replace a lost charger? Offer frequent reminders about device care and expectations to students and parents as you approach interruptions like school breaks– revisit rules like whether students are allowed to bring their devices home over break. 

Device Care as Curriculum 

Including transition time for students to put away their devices is a key part of showing them how to care for their technology. Build in time in your classroom’s schedule for students to place their devices in a charging cart or case. Depending on the age of your students, the amount of time needed will vary– young elementary students will probably need more time than tech-seasoned high schoolers.  

Consider Assigning Long-Term Devices 

One solution that may increase students’ ownership in caring for their devices is to assign them the same device for several years– for instance, from 6-8th grade or 9-12th grade. Knowing they’ll need to rely on the device for multiple years may prompt them to take better care of it than if they were only borrowing them for a single school year.  

Understand Device Protection 

Even with the best of care, it’s inevitable that devices will need to be repaired or replaced. Educators should familiarize themselves with their school’s program for repairing and replacing devices. For instance, if a Chromebook needs to be repaired, how long is that repair expected to take? Does the school have loaner devices for students (or teachers) whose devices are being repaired? Being familiar with the procedure and timeframe for repairs and replacements can help teachers know what to expect when a device is damaged or lost.  

Model Standards for Device Care 

By keeping a tidy workspace, storing your device in its proper case when you’re not using it and keeping drinks and snacks away from your devices, you’re modeling high standards of care for your students.  

Despite the best efforts of teachers, students and their caregivers, it’s inevitable that some of your school’s devices will sustain damage, be lost or simply reach the end of their lifecycle during the school year. JonesCare offers several options for schools to protect their devices, and provides a transparent repair process to ensure minimal interruption to learning. Reach out to learn more about your choices for protecting your school’s technology investment.  

Celebrating the Week of the Young Child®

As an educator or administrator, you’ve probably heard of Week of the Young Child®, the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) annual celebration of early childhood education.

NAEYC first launched the Week of the Young Child® in 1971 in order to increase awareness about the importance of early childhood education while recognizing the existing early childhood programs that provide support and resources to young children and their families. Still going strong after more than 50 years, this annual event continues to draw attention to existing resources while also illuminating gaps that exist, such as affordable childcare.

This year’s Week of the Young Child® will take place April 1 - 7th, 2023.

If your community doesn’t currently mark this special week, the NAEYC offers a toolkit with action steps on how to change that.

There are many ways to celebrate Week of the Young Child®; some communities have held festivals and parades, while others have used the time to advocate for quality early childcare and education. Some communities have decided a week isn’t long enough and have stretched out the celebration to cover the entire month of April! While the NAEYC invites communities to come up with their own unique ways to celebrate and advocate for early childhood education, they’ve created a themed schedule that can serve as a jumping off point when brainstorming for activities.

Music Monday

Music Monday provides an opportunity to kickoff the week using sound, music and movement. Examples of last year’s Music Monday activities include children making their own maracas, listening to music from different cultures and the simple yet delightful ritual of throwing a dance party.

Tasty Tuesday

The possibilities for incorporating food into the curriculum are endless– activities could integrate subjects like math, nutrition, foreign language and farming. You could start an indoor microgreen garden and harvest it with your students, ask kids to share favorite family recipes or embark on a baking project.

Work Together Wednesday

Work Together Wednesday is all about collaboration, teamwork and team-building. For instance, last year, one community created a yoga lesson where pre-k students and third graders partnered for Work (out) Wednesday. Other possibilities include initiating a community service project or a group art project.

Artsy Thursday

Thursday is a celebration of creativity. Successful past Artsy Thursday activities include preschoolers creating self-portraits, going for a nature walk to collect and then paint rocks, and a project where students virtually collaborated with older adults to create masterpieces made with marbles and paint.

Family Friday

The last day of activities focuses on bringing families of young children into the fun– and the learning. Parents might visit a preschool to accompany their kids on a nature walk or stop by school for a family lunch picnic.For more ideas on how to get involved and plan activities for Week of the Young Child®, visit the NAEYC website. If your school or community has a favorite way of celebrating, leave us a comment and let us know!