[Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage

Mon Sep 4 21:47:23 EST 2006

Maybe we should rethink the notion of a "textbook"?

It seems like such an old-millennium idea.

Mark Scott
Luther College

________________________________

From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Sam Denniston
Sent: Mon 4/09/2006 9:04 PM
To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management Teachers' MailingList
Subject: Re: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage

A laptop plus regular textbooks is a huge weight for a growing child to
carry around in a bag

On 4/9/06 7:30 PM, "Cameron" <bell.cameron.p at edumail.vic.gov.au> wrote:

> Why would you even think of using a computer for doing that???
>
> (You were joking weren't you? I've got my sarcasm plugin disabled at the
> moment so I've probably missed any trace of it. Apologies if you were just
> joking)
>
> Cameron
>
> On Monday 04 September 2006 17:26, Sam Denniston wrote:
>> 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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>
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> IPM Mailing List kindly supported by
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