ICT suite rework

[hedman]

Hi,

 

we have been given a project to look at remodeling a Primary schools ICT suite, it currently has desks around the outside of the room, with pcs and everyone sits with their backs to eachother. Anyone got examples of current suites? and what works well? the head is keep to have everyone facing forward like a traditional classroom. The school had a recent promethean board refresh with a 65 inch screen at the front of the suite.

 

Any pointers welcome!

 

thanks

[Meldrew]

We're secondary, but we always have students facing the wall, so that the teacher can see what's on everyone's screen from the front of the class. Also, when the teacher is speaking to the class, they can get students to do a 180 on their stool so they are sure they are paying attention rather than continuing to play on the computer.

 

Meldrew.

[e4e]

I looked at this a few years back and the layout you described is the same as what we went for as we felt that it gave the teacher the ability to stand anywhere in the room and see all the screens of the pupils.

 

We looked at 4 islands and facing inwards but felt that teachers could keep pupils on track better the way we installed.

[3s-gtech]

We either use a ring layout (students facing the walls) or to fit in more computers we use an M configuration, where they're round the outside but also on either side of benching down the middle. That has enabled us to fit growing class sizes into existing suites - one has 60 PCs where it had 32 before.

[hedman]

good point about screen visibility, thanks

[hedman]

We either use a ring layout (students facing the walls) or to fit in more computers we use an M configuration, where they're round the outside but also on either side of benching down the middle. That has enabled us to fit growing class sizes into existing suites - one has 60 PCs where it had 32 before.

 

interesting being able to double the amount of machines, thanks

[mikeprice]

I have taught in various different layouts and I have found that the best (if you have room ) is to have the computers around the edge of the room but to have enough desks/tables in the middle for all students to sit at with paper/books if appropiate

 

This allows for the visibility of the screen (as above) but also allows for them to sit facing the teacher for instruction demos etc

 

as an alternative it is possible to use AB Tutor etc etc to put a thumbnail of each computer on the front IWB (or whatever) so the teacher can glance up to see all the screen when necessary while waling round the class.

 

I have also found that the 'ring' arrangement means the teacher can quickly reach any student that need help (or a talking to) quickly withou thaving to get past otehr chairs bags bodies bins etc on the way each time

 

Mike

[MatthewL]

If you need to see whats on screens why not use classroom management tools such as AB Tutor, Impero, setup the teacher workstation with a second screen.

[mukz]

We have all our machines around the sides of the class. Under the worktop is a placeholder for the machines so the worktop only has a monitor, keyboard and mouse.

 

Staff like it like this as they use the middle of the room with empty tables and chairs which students move to so they are not distracted by the computers.