Hi Paul,<br><br>I think semi portable desktops are a good idea. That is where the CPU is attached to the screen body so that the whole computer can be easily moved. Keyboards and mouse can also be easily replaced.<br><br>Phil Brown<br>
WellingtonSC<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Jun 22, 2010 at 5:43 PM, Paul <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:jpgorton@gmail.com">jpgorton@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;">
We are lucky enough that we are about to convert a classroom into a computer lab for use by our prep - 6 students.<div>We are in discussion about whether to set it up as a conventional computer lab with just desktops, or to have a combination of desktops and laptops.</div>
<div>If we went for desktops around the back of the room, and laptops on some sort of moveable tables in the middle it would allow the room to be used for other purposes.</div><div>It will be in a room next to a staff room, so it would be good to be able to open up the double doors and extend the staff room into the lab when necessary.</div>
<div>Perhaps these middle tables could be low tables with ottomans around them? </div><div>In this case we might hang power supply cables from the roof above the tables?</div><div>Perhaps the laptops could be kept in a cage where they charge, and then be taken out for use on a combination of ottoman tables and bean bags?</div>
<div>Or should we just have 28 desktops arranged around the back of the room and on a couple of island desks in the middle?</div><div>Another idea would be to go with a full class set of laptops and get no desktops at all?</div>
<div>What's the theory about the ergonomics of kids using laptops as opposed to desktops?</div><div>As to colours in the lab, I'm thinking lime green, maybe a bit of burnt orange, and definitely nice timber desktops.</div>
<div>The room is right next to where we are having a new entry built for the primary part of our school, I want it to be a real showpiece.</div><div>I have also been looking into 'interactive tabletops'.. I've got big dreams for this new room..</div>
<div>Any thoughts? Ideas? Encouraging contributions to my big dreams?</div><div><br></div><font color="#888888"><div>Paul Gorton</div><div>ICT / Computer Services Manager</div><div>Narre Warren South P-12 College</div>
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