Keep the Space Safe

Lesson Content

• Lesson Plan Template:

  CTE Lesson Plan

• CTE Course Info and Benchmark Notes

  
  

  Program Title (as applicable): Digital Media/Multimedia Design

  Course Title: Digital Media/ Multimedia Design

  Course Number: 8201210

  Career Cluster: Arts, A/V Technology and Communication

  CIP Number: 0609070220

  Course Type: Career Preparatory

  02.03 Demonstrate best practices of computer safety and ergonomics.

• Unit Outline

  
  

  This lesson is designed to be used with the case study, “Clear the Path.“ See CPALMS resource ID#209642.

• Career Connection

  
  

  This lesson supports project planning, critical thinking, problem solving, analyzing, organizing information, and using written instructions.

• Learning Objectives

  
  

  Students will be able to:

  • Recognize and demonstrate computer safety protocols.
  • Design a poster that highlights the essentials for a safe computer workspace using digital tools and multimedia elements.

• Prior Knowledge

  
  

  Students should be familiar with:

  • The need to be careful with what is around one’s workstations.
  • An understanding that there are special protocols for different environments.
  • Digital tools to create products and engage in online discussion.

• Guiding Questions

  
  
  • Why is safety important in a workspace and around technology?
  • What makes a safety protocol effective?

• Procedure

  
  
  1. Start the lesson with a class discussion using the photos (see attachments) asking, “What is wrong in these two photos? What safety issues do you see?”
     • The teacher can show both photos on available technology and initiate a class discussion about the pictures.
     • Possible concerns that students might identify in the photos include spilling liquid on an electrical outlet, tripping over cords, and unplugging devices when tripping over cords.
  2. Discuss with students the importance of computer safety in the workplace. Ask the students “What is safety?” “What are hazards?”
     • Introduce the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970 (see Teacher Notes).
     • Explain that OSHA was developed to make sure that workers have a safe and healthy workplace.
     • As is stated in the OSHA Workers’ Rights pdf Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 “To assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women; by authorizing enforcement of the standards developed under the Act; by assisting and encouraging the States in their efforts to assure safe and healthful working conditions; by providing for research, information, education, and training in the field of occupational safety and health.”
  3. Give students a copy of the case study, “Clear the Path.” (see CPALMS Resources #209642). Have students read the text with a partner and highlight the sentences that stood out to them.
     • Ask partners to discuss the case study details. Students will identify on sticky notes the safety issues in the case study.
     • Pose the following questions for students to consider.
       • What elements in the case study were safety concerns or hazards?
       • How do you think these safety concerns could be addressed?
  4. When the students are finished discussing the case study with their partners, they will go to the board and place their sticky notes to share with the class (see Teacher Notes).
     • Bring the class together and ask the class to share some of the concerns that were brought up in the case study, “Clear the Path."
  5. Initiate a discussion about ergonomics by asking the students, “What other safety precautions should be taken when working on computers?” Refer to the OHSA factsheet for discussion (see Teacher Notes).
  6. Ask students to survey their classroom and identify possible safety concerns related to computer safety and ergonomics. Connect classroom safety in a digital media class and how it relates to workplace safety and ergonomics.
     • Explain to the class that schools follow safety guidelines just like other workplaces. Share with students that each year staff receive training on how to keep their classrooms safe.
     • Some potential safety concerns might include chairs that are not pushed in, laptops and other devices that are plugged in across the floor, phones charging across the floor, drinks by computers, and electronic devices not on stable tables/desks.
  7. Instruct students to work with a partner to create a graphic and text poster using available digital tools for computer safety. Remind students to refer to the OSHA website, OHSA Fact Sheet on Ergonomics and classroom rules.
     • Some poster options for students include taking photos with their cell phones of things that are concerns and making a second photo of a better solution, creating a dos and don’ts graphic, or providing computer safety tips.
     • Provide students with expectations for the digital posters based on your classroom needs.
  8. To close the lesson, have students post their digital posters on a learning management system or online discussion board.
     • Each pair will provide positive feedback on at least 2 posters.
     • If time allows, have volunteers share their positive feedback on the posters.

• Teacher Notes

  
  
  • Teacher should review The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 found at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/oshact/toc.
  • Before the lesson, make a section of the class white board or a poster board for the students to place their sticky notes on.
  • If necessary, provide students with additional time to research and complete the safety poster.
  • This lesson can be used to help introduce classroom rules at the beginning of the school year.
  • Find the OSHA Factsheet for Ergonomics at https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHAfactsheet-laboratory-safety-ergonomics.pdf

• Optional

  
  

  Formative Assessment

  • Check students’ sticky notes to see if they can identify safety issues in the case study.

  Extension Ideas:

  • Students can research safety equipment and develop a budget for the office space in the case study that needs to update their ergonomics and safety features.