[K12OSN] Re: Room Layout

[Lance Jahnig]

>From: Daniel Howard <dhhoward at comcast.net>
>Reply-To: dhhoward at comcast.net,"Support list for open source software in 
>schools." <k12osn at redhat.com>
>To: "Support list for opensource software in schools." <k12osn at redhat.com>
>Subject: [K12OSN] Re: Room Layout
>Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 18:01:06 -0400
>
>I've been pondering the classroom layout for sometime, especially when 
>K12LTSP allows us finally to move to a 2:1 ratio.  The issues are space, 
>cabling, classroom non-PC use, and cost.
>
>I've found there are three basic layouts:
>
>1) Standard tables around the perimeter, either long side against the wall 
>to save classroom interior space, or short side against the wall so you can 
>put three LCDs and small thin clients on each long side of the table for 6 
>clients per table.  Short keyboards help a lot in the latter configuration 
>for 6' tables.  Many of our teachers prefer to use the half disk or 
>semicircle tables against the walls so that students can't easily look onto 
>a neighbor's work, but you can also put divider slabs between each station 
>(a piece of hardboard perpendicularly stuck in a block of hardwood would 
>work).
>
>2) Tables in parallel rows, short sides against one wall for aisle and 
>teacher desk on opposite wall, or V configuration with aisle in the middle. 
>  Common for computer labs, but leaves no interior space for non-PC 
>activities.
>
>3) Clusters of 4-6 standard student desks in the interior of the room, 
>often preferred in normal classrooms.  Whereas cabling/power are 
>straightforward for options 1) and 2), for the cluster option, unless you 
>have power outlets imbedded in the floors throughout the rooms, it's a 
>major issue; even with rugs, the kids will also trip on them because they 
>refuse to lift their feet when walking.
>
>Some new wrinkles I've thought of:
>
>1) For the tables on the perimeter, long side against the wall, if you use 
>LCD monitors with new, small thin clients, standard 6' computer tables are 
>twice as wide as they need to be.  Use half-width tables instead, and 
>you'll save interior space.  We're also going to use half width tables in 
>the more narrow hallways for our remaining 'hallway laptop carts' which in 
>this case are fixed tables since we've noticed the existing carts aren't 
>being moved.
>
>3) In addition to the cabling issue with clustering, solutions like the  
>Bretford Connections SmartDeck Work Center are very pricey ($600+) and 
>don't include a place to put books, pencils, etc like standard student 
>desks.  A cheaper solution is to use standard desks already in the 
>classroom and find a solution to getting a network and power cable to them, 
>hopefully w/o tripping.  Is there a solution other than the rubber humped 
>strip/ductape on the floor approach to getting power and network cable to 
>clusters of desks in the middle of a classroom?
>
>Regards,
>Daniel
>
>--
>Daniel Howard
>President and CEO
>Georgia Open Source Education Foundation
>

Something like this Pan-Pole Power Pole will allow network and power drops 
in the middle of a room from a droped ceiling.

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