Well, I'm on the other side of the debate. I think that may be because I'm
in a HS and the other respondents are in elementary and middle schools. This
means, generally, that my facility is bigger and that I probably have larger
class sizes to deal with (at least this seems to be true in the Seattle
area). Right now, I have 20 computers for student use and I will be getting
10 more. There is no way on earth that I can have all of these machines
facing the circ desk. Also, having a lab situation (which is what Julie
originally described in the architect's plans) where you have long rows of
machines makes if very difficult to maneuver. My lay out originally included
a long line like this, facing both toward and away from the circ desk, and
I felt like I was doing laps when I was working with students. I have broken
them up into pods and have much easier access to any machine at any time.
I also have very good desktop security software which resets the computer to
the way I set it up when it is rebooted, regardless of what a student might
do to it, short of reformatting the hard drive. This means I don't have to
police for those sorts of infractions. My students have learned that playing
games is not acceptable and I don't have much problem with it.
Like many things, I think how you set up computers depends on the size and
shape of your facility, the maturity level of your students, and your own
preferences. I support Julie in her quest to have pods rather than a lab
type set up! :)
Julie
Julie Anderson, Librarian
Liberty High School, Renton, WA 425.837.4901
andersonj@issaquah.wednet.edu
"Fiction is a lie about the truth." Jane Chambers
-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Grigsby [mailto:SKG0577@DCSS.DEKALB.K12.GA.US]
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2002 5:22 AM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: TECH: computer arrangement
I agree with Micki's comments. When I inherited this library the computers =
were in a circle around the electrical drop pole. The two that I could not =
see were constantly in trouble: students changing backgrounds, going to =
inappropriate sites, playing games, downloading, excessive printing, etc. =
The students inclined to engage in the behavior would naturally choose the =
two that could not be seen from my office or the circ desk.
When we rearranged the library so that they all face the circ desk in a =
row I have had NONE of those same problems. With a glance I know what is =
going on with each student/computer and can nip problems in the bud before =
they cause hardware/software issues. I would never recommend having a =
computer set up where there is no line of site to the monitor.
Susan K. S. Grigsby, LMS
Virtual Reference Desk Volunteer
Midvale Elementary, DeKalb County, Georgia
skg0577@dcss.dekalb.k12.ga.us
Those who don't understand aren't committed...those who do should be.
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