--- 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 >[log in to unmask] > >