So you are thinking about reassessing your ban on bootleg technology in your classroom(s). Good for you, but there will be student issues that you will have to deal with. After all, when in the course of human history has a teenager not pushed a limit or stepped over a line?  With that in mind, here are three preemptive measures to protect you, students and the sanctity of your classroom.

A. Have a short “Acceptable Use” contract.  List the type of sites that cannot be accessed; the type of messages that cannot be distributed; the times that devices can’t be used; the right of adult monitoring; and reasonable consequences for misuse. Keep it short and get it signed by both the student and the parent.

B. Only allow the use of headphones when you decide it is appropriate.

C. Devices must always be on top of the desk, face up. The rule is, “I trust you as long as I can verify what you are doing, looking at, and sharing.”

These three measures ought to solve about 97% of the management and discipline issues relating to the use of bootleg technology in the classroom.  And when a student abuses the privilege, which one will, be a little disappointed, then deal with it in a reasonable manner and move on.

A number of you in the LYS Nation are now using your own bootleg technology devices to follow Twitter.  If you haven’t done so yet, we want you to join us.  To let you see what you are missing, here are the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of June 3, 2012.

1. Henry Ford offered the Model T in one color. He knew choice was less efficient and increased cost. Choice was introduced at an increased cost. (By @txschoolsupe)

2. Same people who complain about $$$ for education spend thousands a year on athletic equipment/training/registration fees for their kid. (By @cheadhorn)

3. Education is a major component of the cure for poverty and instruction is THE major component of education. (By @txschoolsupe)

4. Gave my hard copy of “The Fundamental 5” to my boss, just purchased “The Fundamental 5” on Kindle for iOS. (By @mike_metz)

5. The true test of leadership is not if you win or lose. The true test is if you get up off the mat when the unexpected buckles your knees.

6. If you don’t like the label “average” the answer is not to change the label. The answer is to change the performance.

7. If you don’t change anything after you review the results of an assessment then all you are doing is taking grades. (By @TroyMooney)

8. By the way, we are using Fundamental 5 with principals this summer. I showed off my dog-eared copy. (By @museblogger)

9. School is out. Time to plan for next year. (By @DrJerryRBurkett)

10. Lead your school to greatness by following @LYSNation and watch the transformation begin! (By @tra_hall)

Think. Work. Achieve. Your turn…

LYS is currently conducting a Principal Search.  For more information, click on the link. http://tinyurl.com/LYSSearch

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Confirmed 2012 Presentations: TASSP Conference (multiple sessions); Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote)
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation