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Computer labs and instruction
Author: Francisco
Rodriguez,
Spanish.
Given the state of affairs in technology and the
configuration of most or all our labs, a computer lab is, by definition,
a multimedia lab.
Computer labs are designed to either assist instruction
that takes place in the lab, or to provide additional practice
for students working on a given subject. Most of them can accommodate
both.
What labs have to offer students and teachers?
Computer labs provide both students and teachers
with a number of major benefits:
- Benefits of working with materials designed
to provide a given degree of interactivity, and to help practice
with the subject matter in an interactive way
- Challenge of achieving a certain degree
of proficiency in the use of technology
- Added benefit of the exposure to technology
where both students and teachers master streamline applications
and operating systems
- Students enjoy the ability to submit their
work produced in the lab electronically, via LAN, e-mail or
form mail. The added benefit of this is approach, especially
via LAN, is that generally there is no limit to the memory size
of the documents submitted. There is also an ecological benefit
to this, since documents don't need to be printed for review.
- With Local Access Networks, labs can also
be configured to have students work collaboratively. Deadalus
or Timbuktu are programs designed for this task.
What are the limitation of labs
- A lab is not a substitute for a teacher.
A lab is just a tool. Students shouldn't be sent to a lab without
a defined task.
- While instruction takes place in the lab,
computers can be e a major distraction. Students should not
work with computers until goals and directions are clearly stated
and understood.
- Not all the software produced to work
in the lab is interactive or worth using. A thorough review
of all software is a must.
- There is still a high percentage of students
who lack the necessary computer skills. Exercises should be
carefully planned and instructions should be clear and concise.
Lab staff should be trained in customer service management.
Web sites of interest
101 Success Stories of Technology in Higher Education
http://iberia.vassar.edu/vcl/electronics/etc/acad/edtech/classroom.html
Benefits of Technology Use
http://www.ed.gov/Technology/Plan/NatTechPlan/benefits.html
http://www.benton.org/Library/KickStart/kick.realizing.html
Effectiveness of Computers in Language Testing
http://polyglot.cal.msu.edu/llt/vol1num1/brown/default.html
Computers in the Classroom: Moving from Tool to
Medium
http://www.ascusc.org/jcmc/vol2/issue3/perrone.html
Computers and Learning
http://www.sas.upenn.edu/sasalum/newsltr/summer96/Computers.html
Computer Classroom Design
http://www.workspace-resources.com/education/cicdesi1.htm
Preparing for the 21st Century Classroom
http://www.ncate.org/accred/projects/tech/tech-pressrel.htm
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