Student-Proof Mouse?

[Samson]

Hi there

After finding 5 mice with broken buttons today, I have reccomended to my superiors that we source some more durable, student-proof mice.

Currently what the kids are doing, is pulling the mouse buttons upward, breaking whatever attachment they have underneath, thus rendering the mouse inoperable.

Does anybody know of any innovative designs or generally "child-proof" mice, that arent so easy to break?

Thanks

[Jake]

We have pretty much lucked out on this, if we use ball mice, they nick the ball, if we use optical mice, they just cut the wire or snap the buttons. We've all but given up now and just buy the cheapest mice we can and charge the depts. Doesnt stop the kids though, they still break them every day

[plexer]

The RM ones have captive button that can't be lifted up so easily.

Ben

[mrforgetful]

Nope.

We just use the cheapest Logitech ones off the www.cclonline.com website.

To be honest you'll find most students stick to one PC we just replace them but if it's the same computers a few times then we leave it for a week or two and they soon stop cos they can't play games without a mouse!

[webman]

http://grandtec.com/product%20sites/...0mice/vim.html

Bit expensive though.

Kids will do their hardest to destroy them so just get cheap ones.

[Geoff]

We just buy cheap (black!) optical mice. It's not worth the time, effort or money trying to get 'better' hardware. Just stick CCTV in the rooms you have a vandalism problem in and catch them at it. Then let the normal school disciplinary procedures take their course (don't forget to overcharge for replacement equipment of course).

[mrforgetful]

We just buy cheap (black!) optical mice. It's not worth the time, effort or money trying to get 'better' hardware. Just stick CCTV in the rooms you have a vandalism problem in and catch them at it. Then let the normal school disciplinary procedures take their course (don't forget to overcharge for replacement equipment of course).

Our Head won't let us do this.

[theeggmaster]

I've always fancied buying keyboards with built-in touchpads, but the ICT teaching staff aren't keen on the idea.

[mrforgetful]

I'm not surprised, touchpads are awful enough to use on laptops for more than a couple of hours.

[elsiegee40]

Perhaps students hould be made to buy a mouse that they take round with them like they do with their school books.

If they have their mouse, they can plug it in and use the PC, otherwise tough! :twisted:

[contink]

Our Head won't let us do this.

I'd identify a helpful teacher (preferably a PSHE/ citizenship specialist) asking them to point out the learning outcomes and benefits of instituting a "cause and effect" policy in the computer room then and present that to the head.

Why SMT think there's nothing to be gained from teaching basic "it's broke, you fix, replace, pay for it"... it's the law of the land allegedly and should be part of the basic curriculum.


Oh I wish...

[theeggmaster]

I agree, they are horrible to use, but lessons here are an hour long, and teachers use their touchpads on laptops all day, so it's not impossible.
We just have mice as a 'consumable', and keep a stock of cheap replacements.

[Halfmad]

I buy £3-£4 black optical mice and charge the departments for any that are broken. Oddly enough the number of broken ones has dropped dramatically once they had to foot the bill.

[acrobson]

Try and get the teachers to sit the students at a designated machine for each lesson and keep that machine every time they are in there (it is harder if you have temp teachers though!) and then, in affect, they are braking there own equipment, however it does affect the next poor sole that has to use that machine, as they know it'll probably be fixed by the time they enxt sit there again.

[leon]

I've often thought it would be nice to embed something like this into the desks when speccing a new suite:

http://www.keyboardspecialist.co.uk/...l+Keyboard.htm

The bursar would never go for it though and they probably induce horrible strain injuries -that would learn 'em.

We use logitech here for mice and keyboards, they're tend to be well made and last a fair while.