Laptop Life [PE]

In this lesson, we are going to discuss the rules of our SAS laptop program, how to take care of ourselves when using laptops, and how you can be best prepared to use your laptop for learning. At the end of the lesson you will create a document summarizing the main points for each section.

Be Prepared To Learn

Watch this video about being prepared to learn and a few other laptop program rules.

Managing your Laptop's Battery

Here are some suggestions for getting the most out of your laptop's battery:

Dim the screen (half-way is bright enough)
Close the lid when not in use
Quit applications you are not using
Close browser tabs

TOP TIP : Completely shut down and restart your laptop at least one a week. This helps keep it running smoothly

Laptop Rules?

Discuss the following with your class

What does it mean to be prepared to learn with your laptop?
What are the other laptop program rules to remember?
Why is it important that all MS students follow these rules and are prepared to learn?

Consequences of not being a responsible laptop user

We all have the potential to make mistakes, either by lack of thinking or by making poor choices.

Actions that might cause you to receive some kind of disciplinary action, loss of 'take home' privilege or the complete loss of use of your laptop:

repeated not having your laptop protected by the hardcase AND padded bag
leaving your laptop unattended/misplacing your laptop through carelessness
downloading and using torrenting/P2P software to pirate games, music, movies, etc
sharing inappropriate content/malware/nuisance scripts to others
disrupting others with unnecessary chats
playing games or watching videos during class time
interfering with another student's laptop
purposely damaging a school laptop

Physical Health and Laptops

If you use a laptop for extended periods of time, it's important to keep a few ergonomic tips in mind to prevent injury. In general, you should be comfortable and avoid being in the same position without moving for a long time. Read through the tips below. As you read through them, become aware of your posture and how you are sitting. Adjust your body to follow the tips. Does it feel better?

Sit up straight with your lower back supported. Do not hunch your back.
Use your laptop on a stable surface where there is support for your arms, and not on your lap.
Take regular breaks and roll your neck, wrists and ankles or walk around.
Look away from the screen every 20 minutes and focus on an object at least 20 feet (6 meters) away for at least 20 seconds.
Keep arms and elbows relaxed and close to your body.
Elbows should be bent at 90-100 degrees.
Keep wrist straight.

Watch this video that summarizes these tips.

You try . . .

Stretch Break

A short stretch and motion break every now and then can really help both your physical well-being and your focus and concentration. Follow your PE teacher as they guide you through a short series of stretches.

Mental Health and Balance

What does it mean to have balance between your online world and your offline world? Parents do worry about technology and their children, but there are visible signs that can help them feel that you have it under control.

However, how would you know when things are out of balance? What might be some signs?

Think - Think about this individually for a minute.

Pair - Share your thoughts with a partner.

Share - Have a class discussion. What should you do if you feel your laptop use is out of balance? Where can you go for help?

Creating a 'Living Healthy with Laptops' Strategy

If you plan ahead and have a strategy for how you are going to work with your laptop to stay physically and mentally healthy, then you are more likely to achieve that goal.

What are you going to do to live healthily with your laptop? At school? At home?

Now you try . . .

Open your laptop, go to your Google Drive.
Create a new document and title it 'Living Healthy With Laptops'.
Insert a 4 row table into your doc. The table should span most of the width of the page.

In row 1 add the sub-heading 'Physical Well-being'
In row 2 write 3 to 5 things you plan to do to help keep yourself physically healthy when using your laptop
In row 3 add the sub-heading 'Mental Well-being'
In row 4 write 3 to 5 things that you plan to do to develop a good balance between your digital life and your real life.

(If you are struggling with creating a table, you can use this template. Clicking on the link will force you make make a copy of it and then you can proceed with the previous directions.)

When you have finished you need to submit your presentation to your Advisor by email

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