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Following is a summary of responses to my recent survey on elementary
computer labs.

1.  Does your building have a computer lab? Where is it located? What are the
main uses of the lab? What grade levels have access?
Responses:  All respondents indicated that their school had at least one lab,
most often located in/ next to the media center or in a specially-built
classroom. Main uses were: word processing, drill and practice, keyboarding,
and publishing. Also mentioned were: playing, problem-solving, Hypercard,
simulations, MECC programs, and Tutor Tech. Grade levels were: Early
childhood through sixth grade, with most schools giving access to all grades
in their building.

2.  Do you have computers in classrooms? How are they used?
Responses:  The majority of respondents have computers in a few or many
classrooms. Most are used for drill and practice and word processing. Also
mentioned were: teacher prep, reward, simulation games, projection panel for
instruction.

3.  Do you see a trend toward classroom clusters of computers rather than
central computer labs in your building or district?
Responses:  Out of 16 respondents, 9 said no, and 7 said yes. Sample comments
for question #3 included:

>Yes. They really are a tool which should be available near the kids, used in
a more natural way as a resource on hand, interactive with other activities,
and not separated in a different location in a block time.
Annette Church  (achurch@eis.clastate.edu)
*****
>We have had a computer lab in each elementary school for almost a decade now
and the District technology committee is now talking about dispersing the
machines to the classrooms, either singly or in clusters of 3 or 4.
Judith Harrington
Leo Bernabi Elem. School
Spencerport, NY 14559
******
>This is the direction we are moving. Our goal is to have at least one
computer in each classroom and the availability of 4 to 6 other computers
that can be rolled into the classroom and hooked up to the network.
David Hollingshead
Gideon #37 School District
dholling@services.dese.state.mo.us
*****
>See a trend? No, but I think there would be advantages to it, IF teachers
ever gain the time to learn, then USE such a set-up. Until that happens, a
central location with one overseeing person (media specialist?) may be the
only way a lab will be used efficiently by students.
Eugene Hainer
Linton Elementary
ehainer@lobo.rmh.pr1.k12.co.us
*****
>Teachers would love to have a cluster in their classroom if we get
additional computers. We are not disbanding the lab.
Andria D'Errico
Chicago Jr. School
Elgin, IL
aderrico@icebox.ncook.k12.il.us
*****
>Our school district's philosophy has been on the lab, hoping to effect the
most efficient use of technology for the most students. As we secure funds,
old Apple II labs have been replaced with Mac labs and the Apple II's are now
in the classrooms. My school has an Apple for every other teacher.

Debbie (whitbeck@tenet.edu)
Purple Sage, Round Rock ISD, TX
*****
>No. We are looking to networking the individual classrooms with the media
center and office, once that is done, there may be more demand for computer
clusters in the classroom. We are always evaluating and regrouping.
Sandi Purnell
Belton, MO
*****
>Yes! The district is now in discussion over more computers in the rooms as
well as direct linkage with phone lines. Money is the issue.
Kennette Bledsoe
kbledsoe@mcs.com
*****
>I think having computers in the classroom will encourage, if not force, some
of the teachers to take the plunge and actually learn more about the
computer. Some teachers still like the lab idea though--I think it's because
their teaching style is still a
lecture-whole-group-do-everything-at-the-same-time approach. As teachers
change their style to more small groups, cooperative kinds of activities I
think they are finding they like having a computer(s) in the classroom.

Sabra Bell
K-12 Teacher
Aynor-Conway Career Center
335 Four Mile Road
Conway, SC 29526
sbell@horry.sc.fred.org
*****
>Trend is definitely to classroom clusters which is the eventual plan for
each school depending on money. Also in plan is modem access for online time.

smckee@eis.calstate.edu
*****
>We still plan to always have a Mac lab...to teach computer skills to a class
as a whole, to have an entire clas work on keyboarding, or on one special
program or skill but we want at least 2 or more per classroom too.

Guusje Moore
Librarian, Housman Elementary School
Houston, Texas
guusje@tenet.edu
*****
 SUMMARY: Perhaps, as some respondents suggested, a combination of central
lab and classroom clusters is a workable solution? For more on this, see the
March 1994 issue of Technology & Learning. On page 50 authors Dyrli and
Kinnaman mention the lab vs. classroom debate. They conclude that most
schools are finding that the best solution is a mix of  labs, clusters, and
stand-alone computers. Interesting reading!

Thanks to all who responded! I will take this information to my district
technology committee as we decide what to do with our labs. It certainly
helps to know what other schools are doing!

Karen A. Parker
Media Specialist
Longfellow Elementary
1130 Seymour Ave.
Iowa City, IA  52240
mlskaren@aol.com


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