[Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage
Sam Denniston
samdenniston at iprimus.com.au
Mon Sep 4 17:26:14 EST 2006
I can think of no greater torture than being forced to navigate through and
read a textbook on a laptop.
On 4/9/06 3:18 PM, "Mark Scott" <msc at staff.luther.vic.edu.au> wrote:
>
> Royce
>
> In the words of the immortal Billy S
>
> ³Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
> Or close the wall up with our English dead.
> In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
> As modest stillness and humility;
> But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
> Then imitate the action of the tiger:
> Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.²
>
> To be short, you have no idea what you are talking about.
>
> They said the same thing about calculators back in the early seventies.
>
> Cordially yours
> Mark Scott
> Luther College
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au] On
> Behalf Of Royce Williams
> Sent: Monday, 4 September 2006 2:51 PM
> To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management
> Teachers'MailingList
> Subject: RE: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage
>
> Where to start
>
> The theory that every student should own and bring to class a laptop is of
> course one of the biggest educationalist crap shoots ever. With changes in the
> Internet / increased home ownership of computers /increased home broadband
> /USB memory down to 59$ per gig /pod casting/ VCE and drafting ... Remember
> that ... I think student carried lippies should be well dead by now.
>
> However Pods ?COWs individual laptops taken into classes is very valid.
> Particularly in science .. Which not only has specialist rooms but have a huge
> amount of simulation and other programs that can be used.
>
> We have for student use here about 150 laptops that can be borrowed by classes
> and individually. We don't use trolleys here due to physical layout of school.
> But bringing technology to students is better than making them lockstep to a
> "special" room .. Not withstanding that we have specialist computer areas
> (music/multimedia/art) and two full size computer rooms for when they are
> appropriate.
>
> Laptops do cost more than equivalent desktops because of more expensive PSU's
> / batteries and LCD screens .. Tho the difference is rapidly falling. However
> you also need a better constructed laptop to survive the rigours of school
> life than you do a desk top. So hopping to get several years out of a sub
> $1000 laptop is a forlorn hope.
> E.G. you might run DELL or Acer in your labs but you need the IBM or HP in
> your laptops.
>
>
> Here students are not allowed in Computer rooms without supervision (in
> theory) .. In Middle school it leads off the Library .. No problems .. But
> senior school is really a problem with damage .. I need to put a teacher on a
> couch in there ... Rofl.
> However there are 12 computers in the senior Library for student use as well.
>
>
>
>
>
> Royce Williams
> Manager Information Technology
> Billanook College
> 197-199 Cardigan Rd
> Mooroolbark 3138
> Victoria Australia
> Tel: 61-3-9725 5388; Fax: 61-3-9725 8556
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au] On
> Behalf Of Cameron
> Sent: Friday, 1 September 2006 10:22 AM
> To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management Teachers'Mailing
> List
> Subject: Re: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage
>
>
> Apologies if this appears more than once - forgot to change identity. :(
>
> Let me say that Laptop computers are not a fad. Once seen as a way that
> private schools could "show off", they are now very mainstream in schools,
> business and homes. Laptops are a superb solution to mobility and "where are
> we going to fit in some more computers?". They have a role to play where
> appropriate.
> I would give my right arm for the ability of my Science classes to be able to
> wheel in a set of notebooks to record prac results and create reports in real
> time *in the lab*.
> Each of our Yr 7 classes have their own trolley of 12 notebooks (1 between 2
> model) that they take to each class. They are responsible for their own
> trolley which has helped reduce damage as they have a sense of ownership. The
> notebooks have helped many teachers transform the way they teach. Having
> immediate access to the technology without need to organise room-swaps or
> book computer rooms allows teachers to teach and students to learn "on the
> fly" if needed. You don't need to plan to have "a computer lesson", you just
> integrate the ICT as needed. The change we have seen in just 8 months is
> astounding.
> As mentioned the "bang for your buck" works out well in favour of desktops,
> but only if you think in terms of hardware costs. I would place a great deal
> more weight on "educational bang for your buck" when considering between the
> two and notebooks rapidly catch or even surpass desktops when that is
> factored in.
> Given the amount of use the laptops have had, they are holding up remarkably
> well. We have had one badly damaged case that will cost in the region of $800
> to repair. OUCH! - may as well buy a new one. We have had a bit of trouble
> with some keys being removed, but when you think of the amount of time they
> are used for, it isn't too bad.
>
> We are probably looking at a bit of both. We are having trouble deciding where
> we can store the trolleys securely and at the same time, where we can fit in
> more desktops. It is great to have the technology out of sight until you need
> it and then you can place it on the same desks without the need for
> additional furniture or desks.
>
> If it is foreseen that students will one day have their own personal computers
> in whatever form they may take, we may as well start now and develop teaching
> methods and courses that use the current mobile technology. I believe a
> graduated development of teaching pedagogy will be more useful than waiting
> and trying to shift over to a new style once it has been deemed that enough
> students have access to make it worthwhile.
>
> Cheers
> Cameron
>
>
>
> On Thursday 31 August 2006 20:12, Stephen Digby wrote:
>> > Just got a single notebook trolley with 10 ACERs much against my
>> > recomendation. Hope that the machines last..... In the past, I have
>> > had bad experience with notebooks in classrooms - more than twice the
>> > price (esp. including more frequent amd much more expensive repairs);
>> > last less than half service life (include downtime); less classroom
>> > efficiency for teacher (get trolley, supervise handout, supervise use,
>> > wait till students start them up, supercvise return to trolley c
>> > correct connections to chargers; return trolley and plug in)
>> >
>> > Think that this is a very temporary fad until students all have
>> > "personal" computers as seamlessly as they have phones.....
>> >
>> >
>> >===========================================================================
>> >= ==========
>> > Stephen Digby, Learning Technology Manager
>> > mailto:admin at cheltsec.vic.edu.au
>> > Cheltenham Secondary College www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au
>> > <http://www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au/> Ph: 613 955 55 955 Fx: 9555 8617
>> > ===========================================================================
>> >= ==========
>> >
>> >
>> > An empty stomach is not a good political advisor.
>> > Albert Einstein
>> >
>> >
>> > _____
>> >
>> > From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au]
>> > On Behalf Of Robert Minato
>> > Sent: 31 August 2006 03:37 PM
>> > To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management
>> > Teachers'Mailing List
>> > Subject: Re: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage
>> >
>> >
>> > Our school does not let students into computer rooms unless under
>> > teacher supervision. We have three computer classrooms and another
>> > computer room attached to the library. Students are allowed to use
>> > library computers whenever library is open.
>> >
>> > We have recently gone down the path of setting up three cows
>> > (computers on wheels). The library staff take bookings for these
>> > laptop trolleys; nine laptops per trolley. Teachers book the cows and
>> > can use them in any classroom. The advantage I have found with the
>> > cows is that you can sometimes just book one cow as not all students
>> > need a computer at the same time; ie others are doing prac tasks.
> On Thursday 31 August 2006 20:12, Stephen Digby wrote:
>> > Just got a single notebook trolley with 10 ACERs much against my
>> > recomendation. Hope that the machines last..... In the past, I have
>> > had bad experience with notebooks in classrooms - more than twice the
>> > price (esp. including more frequent amd much more expensive repairs);
>> > last less than half service life (include downtime); less classroom
>> > efficiency for teacher (get trolley, supervise handout, supervise use,
>> > wait till students start them up, supercvise return to trolley c
>> > correct connections to chargers; return trolley and plug in)
>> >
>> > Think that this is a very temporary fad until students all have
>> > "personal" computers as seamlessly as they have phones.....
>> >
>> >
>> >===========================================================================
>> >= ==========
>> > Stephen Digby, Learning Technology Manager
>> > mailto:admin at cheltsec.vic.edu.au
>> > Cheltenham Secondary College www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au
>> > <http://www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au/> Ph: 613 955 55 955 Fx: 9555 8617
>> > ===========================================================================
>> >= ==========
>> >
>> >
>> > An empty stomach is not a good political advisor.
>> > Albert Einstein
>> >
>> >
>> > _____
>> >
>> > From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au]
>> > On Behalf Of Robert Minato
>> > Sent: 31 August 2006 03:37 PM
>> > To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management
>> > Teachers'Mailing List
>> > Subject: Re: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage
>> >
>> >
>> > Our school does not let students into computer rooms unless under
>> > teacher supervision. We have three computer classrooms and another
>> > computer room attached to the library. Students are allowed to use
>> > library computers whenever library is open.
>> >
>> > We have recently gone down the path of setting up three cows
>> > (computers on wheels). The library staff take bookings for these
>> > laptop trolleys; nine laptops per trolley. Teachers book the cows and
>> > can use them in any classroom. The advantage I have found with the
>> > cows is that you can sometimes just book one cow as not all students
>> > need a computer at the same time; ie others are doing prac tasks.
>
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>
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