--- Forwarded Message from [log in to unmask] --- >From: [log in to unmask] >Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 09:59:12 -0400 >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: #5780 'Smart' classrooms You have given us information about the smart rooms, the students, and the computer facilities, but nothing about what teachers use. Based only on your email, I'd suggest: 1. Find out who would like to use the features of the smart classrooms. 2. If demand = availablility, schedule computer users into equipped rooms. 3. If demand outstraps existing facilities, start to build a small fleet of computers-to-go which can be put into unequipped rooms as needed. 4. Plan for more wired rooms in the future, in pace with demand. These suggestions don't address your question about whether you should install computers at student desks or have them rent or supply their own. That's a tough call, not knowing what your teachers do in class, how they use technology, how/when they expect the students to use it, etc. In my experience, the best thing to start with is wiring and network infrastructure. Then put in presentation machines and projectors for the teachers to use at the front of the room. Then add student stations as needed. Flexibility in scheudling is a valuable tool when you are starting out with technology in your classrooms. If faculty are willing to swap on prearranged days to maximize use of scarce resources in rooms, so much the better. The extra time and effort required in coordination is often cheaper than hardware investment when you are starting out. Bruce Parkhurst Boston University