Elementary Classroom
Using Technology in the
Do’s and Don’ts for Keeping Your Data Private and Secure
Have you noticed that you are handling more sensitive information than ever? Here are 10 gentle reminders to protect your data and yourself:
Do become aware of all the people who have access to your computer: students, substitutes, student teachers, aides/volunteers, etc. Leaving files on the desktop makes it easy for you to locate and work with those files, but also makes it convenient for casual passers-by to access. At least save them to My Documents in a cryptically-named folder.
Don’t walk
away from your computer without logging off. Even if you are presiding over a reading group close by, you’ll be paying attention to your
group and not who happens to be at your computer. Would you leave your car running in the school parking lot, even if you could see it from your classroom window?
Do protect your data by protecting your computer from accidental disasters. Keep all liquids far from the computer – spilled pop or coffee can do interesting things to your electrical system. Tuck all cords and wires up and out of the way so they don’t become disconnected or pull down your computer if you trip over them.
Don’t select the option on web browsers for saving or remembering your user name and/or password for any site. Make sure you sign out of online services like Google Docs before leaving your computer. It does take an extra 30 seconds to sign back in, but in the meantime, your data will be secure and private.
MACULJOURNAL |
Do backup your files. Think about this – if a page of private data somehow meets with disaster, do you have a copy safely stored somewhere? Is the information on the backup current? It really doesn’t do much good to protect your computer and leave the backups where anyone can find them. A safe, convenient, and easily accessible way to save files is to open a free account with an online file-saving service such as
box.net (
http://box.net/). You also have the ability to privately share individual files with others.
Don’t leave passwords on a sticky on your monitor (I’ve seen this done!!). Avoid using the word password or your username as a password. Make it difficult for others to break into your accounts!
Do be aware of where your printouts end up. Working in a lab that has a networked printer (12 classrooms print to the lab printer) I often hear the printer fire up, print out a couple of sheets that then stay in the printer until the end of the day, or even the next day – often with information that should NOT be viewed by students who run down to pick up their own printouts.
Don’t send students to pick up your printouts of sensitive material! After all, you’ve been teaching them to read…
Do store your printed files in a secure (in other words, locked) cabinet, drawer, etc. Leaving in your open take-home bag next to your chair, in a well-labeled 3 ring binder, or in a basket labeled Important is asking for trouble.
Marilyn Western is the 2008 MACUL Teacher of the Year, a former member of the MACUL Board of Directors, a Discovery Educator Network (DEN) scholar, and a Mt. Pleasant Public Schools 5th/6th grade computer lab teacher. Outside of the classroom, she has worked as the 1998-99 MDE Technology Using Educator on Loan, a MI Champions course designer and instructor, a technology trainer for Clare Gladwin RESD, Gratiot Isabella RESD and Bay Arenac ISD, a national presenter for the Bureau of Education & Research, and a district Tech Guru. She can be reached via mwestern@
edzone.net.
Spring/Summer 2011 9
By Marilyn Western
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