--- Forwarded Message from "Carol H. Reitan" <[log in to unmask]> ---

>Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 10:42:35 -0700 (PDT)
>From: "Carol H. Reitan" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum    <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Lab in transition, suggestions?
>In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>

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Hello,

I have a question for you LLTI experts. Here's the background:

We have a drop-in lab (old sony console plus drop-in computer section) and
a classroom that features a projection system, and the Sony LLC-9000 plus
35 audio stations. Instructors actually use the console for pairing and
testing especially for our conversation courses that emphasize
pronunciation (the Mandarin courses for speakers of other dialects of
Chinese for example). Four- five years ago we were able to purchase
computers for the classroom which were just placed on top of the audio
station desks. Classes would do work on the web, learn to use Chinese and
Japanese word-processors, etc. Other classes just use the console, or show
a video.

Here's the question:

Now that the computers are getting older and we're thinking about
replacing them, rather than just replace the computers and continue with
the audio station with the computer set on top, what kinds of transitional
scenarios have any of you investigated? It seems a waste of money to get
35 brand new computers and continue with the current situation. The desks
are inconvenient for students, no space to write (monitor and keyboard in
the way). The furniture is also less than optimum for computer use, we
have tight rows, and it's hard to get in there to do the troubleshooting
and hands on help that some of our students require. Trashing the analog
console is out of the question now because teachers use it, and we can't
afford to redo the entire lab with a tandberg (or tandberg type) system
and new computer furniture. But, the instructors using the room to have
their students access web-based resources, do research, and learn
word-processing in various non-roman font languages also need to be
served. What transitional scenarios have some of the rest of you used?
Any ideas?

Thank you all for your suggestions.


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Carol Reitan, Language Center
Instructor of French
City College of San Francisco
R205, 50 Phelan Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94112
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(415)452-5555
[log in to unmask]
http://fog.ccsf.edu/~creitan
http://www.ccsf.edu/Departments/Language_Lab
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