[elearning] elearning Digest, Vol 44, Issue 14

Wed Jun 23 16:47:18 EST 2010

So far the best layout I have seen is  2 rows of 7 computers on either side of each row making 28 computers. Facing a whiteboard. With the teachers desk at the back of the lab with the workstations on an 45 degree angle to the row of computers.
This allows all student screens viewable from the back of the computer, you can take it one step further install  interactive white board and projector, with attachments to the teachers workstation / bench at the back of the room, this way the teacher 
can interact from their computer, and allow students go to the front of the room and also interact with the board.

At Forest Hill college we are also running a laptop program, and If you want to go down the laptop path, expect a huge amount of damages to the laptops. Accidents happen.
Security and connectivity becomes the next problem with laptops, the CISCO Wireless WAPS are not suitable for large sets of connections to the wireless. And would lag significantly over the network.
As far as charging goes, if you could buy or custom build clear/closeable/lockable desks, similar to the old school draft desks, schools used to have with the ability to store books inside. This would suit best for their protection and charging capabilities.
Otherwise you will lose up to 15 minutes of your lesson, due to extra handling of the laptops, which also creates a bigger risk of damage as that is where they are more prone to being dropped.

To fix the connectivity problem we purchased Xirris Arrays for the whole school, to replace our CISCO WAPS, they were very professional about the install, but it wasn't exactly free like the CISCO WAPS. And Synergy can organize free site survey quotes for their installation.

We also bought 25 Laptops with the Rudd money as a class set, but we decided to make them available from the library in sets of 5, on hand made trolleys from the wood technology area. Which can be wheeled to an area of the library for charging, when not in use.

Cheers

Malcolm Rivett
IT Customer Technician
Synergy Plus (Operations) PTY LTD

Forest Hill College
178 - 180 Mahoneys Road, 
Burwood East 3151
e-mail:      m.rivett at fhc.vic.edu.au
Extension:	#448
Mobile:		0434 188471
Telephone:  	03 9814 9444
Facsimile:   	03 9887 8126

-----Original Message-----
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Sent: Wednesday, 23 June 2010 12:00 PM
To: elearning at edulists.com.au
Subject: elearning Digest, Vol 44, Issue 14

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: new computer lab - ideas? [Spam score:10%] (Oliver Murray)

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Message: 1
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 09:19:23 +0800
From: "Oliver Murray" <omurray at gegs.wa.edu.au>
Subject: Re: [elearning] new computer lab - ideas? [Spam score:10%]
To: "elearning Teachers' Mailing List" <elearning at edulists.com.au>
Message-ID:
	<FB4A7A01FAB31F489692FC4711A8D8320114E6EB at ggs-s1.Grammar.local>
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Hi Paul

We had the semi portable desktops a few years ago and found them
unstable.

Due to set up of the room (rows) someone turning around would bump one
of the desktops and over it would go.

Regards,

Oliver Murray

Head of ICT

From: elearning-bounces at edulists.com.au
[mailto:elearning-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Phil Brown
Sent: Wednesday, 23 June 2010 6:16 AM
To: elearning Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [elearning] new computer lab - ideas? [Spam score:10%]

Hi Paul,

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.

Phil Brown
WellingtonSC

On Tue, Jun 22, 2010 at 5:43 PM, Paul <jpgorton at gmail.com> wrote:

We are lucky enough that we are about to convert a classroom into a
computer lab for use by our prep - 6 students.

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.

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.

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.

Perhaps these middle tables could be low tables with ottomans around
them? 

In this case we might hang power supply cables from the roof above the
tables?

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?

Or should we just have 28 desktops arranged around the back of the room
and on a couple of island desks in the middle?

Another idea would be to go with a full class set of laptops and get no
desktops at all?

What's the theory about the ergonomics of kids using laptops as opposed
to desktops?

As to colours in the lab, I'm thinking lime green, maybe a bit of burnt
orange, and definitely nice timber desktops.

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.

I have also been looking into 'interactive tabletops'.. I've got big
dreams for this new room..

Any thoughts? Ideas? Encouraging contributions to my big dreams?

Paul Gorton

ICT / Computer Services Manager

Narre Warren South P-12 College

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