Hi All,
I was wondering what your thoughts were about the Mac lab in the library. This item was on the last TAT agenda, but we didn't have the chance to get everyone's input. Please tell me what you think: what are your thoughts about keeping all of the Macs in the library? Keeping a small set in the library? Do you think primary uses them more in the library? Any other ideas for the future?
Thanks for the input! :)
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11 comments:
I really think the move to the classroom and mobile labs need to be a focus. There are very few who take their students to the media center for "lab". What about leaving the bank of computers in the private area for students to use and put the others in classrooms? I don't think we need to continue replacing them in the media center except for the ones in the private area and maybe replace with window machines. (Sorry Josh :))
I would agree with Deb, I'm not sure how many people have students go into the lab. I like checking out the laptops, because I feel more comfortable using the windows computers rather than the macs. How many of our staff members feel that way?
I agree with Mandy, I too feel more comfortable using the mobile labs. I am comfortable using the windows lab tops better than the macs. But of course we are on TAT and we are comfortable using the labs. Maybe at the next staff meeting we could ask others how comfortable they feel using the mobile labs. (wow...how many times can I say comfortable?!!?)
I think we should have a small bank of computers available in the media center--perhaps that alcove area--so that students visiting the media center may access Spectrum catalog or use them for word processing, etc. The other computers should be distributed to classrooms or retired. Our building is moving in a great new direction--technology to benefit teaching, not technology as a separate subject area. In my days as a classroom teacher, Computer Lab was a special--I took my students there and they worked on math games or reading games. Times, they are a changin'. I think we need to gather input from the staff, and that we need to let them know how ill some of those computers are. They are slow...Maybe we replace older classroom desktop computers with this year's tech money and move some of those old dogs into the media center so we can be an all WINDOWS building. Happy days...I am not a big fan of Macs, sorry.
I also I think we need to ask for the staff input too. Maybe if they don't feel comfortable talking about it they can fill out a survey, we create. I think Priscilla has a good idea of using the money for this year.
WHAT??? GETTING RID OF MACS???? COME ON PEOPLE!!!! Everyone has their opinions, and I'm more than happy to continually tell Caroline that hers are wrong.
Honestly, I'd never tell you which way to go. You all are comfortable (to steal Maria's word) with your own system. I don't care what you use, as long as you use it.
I'm also not going to tell you how to spend your money, but I like to throw out suggestions.
One process that we got into at LVW was to purchase brand new computers for teachers and then build our labs (first stationary then mobile once all teachers had laptops) from "old" teacher computers. That may be something to think about. We felt it ensured that teachers always had newer eqiupment than what students had, theortically making them more likely to use something they had seen before. It's just an idea.
I also prefer to use the mobile lab in my room, it takes less time and the students are so use to it. I do have a couple of questions however. On almost every occasion that I have picked my kids up from media they are on the Macs. I'm just assuming that this is a large part of their class. Would the media specialist be using the laptop carts then instead of the Macs therefore making them less available to classroom teachers?
Also, I come from a district where I was raised on Macs in elementary school and then switched to Windows in high school. I feel that I benefited strongly from being able to work on both platforms. I think some exposure to each platform is good for a well rounded "tech" user. Just a thought . . .
I have been wanting to dismantle the Mac lab and get those computers out of the stationary lab for awhile now...I just don't feel that they are being used as effectively as they could be in the classrooms, with effective integration. However, would they just sit there int he rooms, too? Is training the key? HOW would we "split" up the lab if we did? First come, first serve? I am thinking a short survey is the way to go, too, to get input on how much the library lab is really used and HOW it is being used.
Is primary using these more than intermediate? I think Lauren's comment about Media is one to consider as well as thinking about the impact that it would have with SPACE in the individual classrooms. I have casually chatted with a few primary teachers about the lab to get input, and they mentioned that they are being used a lot in media, but they rarely go there on their own. Also, they mentioned that using buddy classes to get started on mobile labs are very effective. If we start with getting kiddos in the primary trained on the laptop labs now, then our work will be much easier for integration as those kids (digital natives) get older. As far as Macs, as long as the machine is in GOOD, WORKING condition, I am happy these days! ;) (Brownie points, now, Josh!?) BUT, personally, I grew up with Mac machines like Lauren and now find myself completely changed. It has made me a more flexible troubleshooter, too. :)
I definitely think there is a benefit to having both types of computers in the building. There are some programs that are easier to use on the Macs than the PCs. I think it would be a mistake to get rid of all the macs from the building. Having said that, I use the mobile labs much more than the macs just for convenience sake. I do have the same question as Lauren about the Beth Flynn using them during class. I think we should leave at least some of them in the media center.
2 points for Caroline...it would've been more if you would've said "I love Macs!" :)
I can see where the media specialist would want computers to use in the media center. On the other hand I think the mobile labs should stay mobile. I can see keeping the macs where they are until they die a slow death--sorry Josh. I think that more teachers are using the mobile labs this year.
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