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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