--- Forwarded Message from Victor Aulestia <[log in to unmask]> ---

>Disposition-Notification-To: Victor Aulestia <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: Tue, 18 May 2004 14:41:25 -0400
>From: Victor Aulestia <[log in to unmask]>
>Organization: UMBC
>User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.0; en-US; rv:1.4)
Gecko/20030624 Netscape/7.1 (ax)
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum
<[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: #7527 Lab carrels vs. desks -- pros & cons
>References: <[log in to unmask]>
>In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>

We are considering the semi recessed desks with 17" LCD panels for our
new Humanities building.
Consult the following web site for more information and assistance:
www.smartdesks.com.
This site is full of good articles about computer lab design.

Good luck,

Victor Aulestia, Director
Classroom Technologies
UMBC


LLTI-Editor wrote:

>--- Forwarded Message from "Wayne Hughes" <[log in to unmask]> ---
>
>
>
>>Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 13:30:26 -0700
>>From: "Wayne Hughes" <[log in to unmask]>
>>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>Subject: Lab carrels vs. desks -- pros & cons
>>
>>
>
>Hello,
>
>We're in the process of building a CALL lab for the ESL department at
>our college.  We're trying to decide between installing carrels vs. flat
>desks.  Our lab is intended to be used mostly as a "teaching lab" rather
>than just for drop-in.
>
>Initially we'd chosen carrels because we thought that would provide
>more acoustic privacy for students doing speaking and listening
>activities, and also because it would be harder for students to look at
>their neighbor's monitor when doing tests.
>
>However, for a few reasons we're now wondering if it would be better to
>go with flat desks (i.e. unseparated by the sides and backs we'd have on
>carrels).  The main problem we're encountering with the carrel idea is
>that the raised sides will interfere with the sightlines between the
>students and teacher, as well as between the students.  A secondary, but
>important, consideration is also cost.
>
>To briefly describe our CALL lab:
>-- 27 student computer stations plus one instructor station at the
>front of the room
>-- each student station is 36" wide and 30" deep w/ pull-out keyboard
>tray
>-- we'll be using the big CRT monitors but the CPU will be mounted
>under the carrel or desk
>-- using the CAN-8 system
>-- layout will be 8 or 9 student stations along each of two opposite
>side walls (facing the wall), plus 10 stations (5 pairs facing each
>other) which will extend from the back wall up the middle of the room.
>
>Any feedback you have from your own experience regarding the choice
>between carrels and desks would be greatly appreciated.
>
>Cheers,
>
>Wayne
>
>
>Wayne Hughes
>Faculty
>ESL Department
>Capilano College
>North Vancouver, B.C.  V7J 3H5
>CANADA
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>
>