The Next Computer Lab is Not

Let’s start with a short activity. Close your eyes and think about these words: “computer lab.” Open your eyes and continue reading…

The mere mention of a computer lab these days connotes a nostalgic vision of a dedicated room in the school containing several rows of long tables with desktop computers for use by students and somewhere in the room is a teacher's station with a computer connected to a projector and a printer (Julian, 2013). To use the computer lab, teachers from across the campus took turns and made reservations for students to use the resources in the room for a specific activity.

 


Computer labs started appearing in schools decades ago when computers were expensive, and school budgets were tight. Schools aiming to provide the campus community an opportunity to learn basic computer skills, research, or perform schoolwork electronically carved large swaths of funds from the budget to create computer labs. As funds became available, the school upgraded its labs with faster machines or created an additional lab, allowing multiple computer labs to be used simultaneously.

The world has changed since the first computer lab arrived in schools. Students with personal computing devices have exponentially increased since the 1980s. Our school now features a one-to-one computer-to-student ratio, and just about any classroom may be regarded as a computer lab in the context described above. Moreover, the conventional computer lab with rigid rows of desktop computers does not support effective instructional strategies that feature collaboration. Rather than upgrading an outdated computer lab, a new space in our middle school has emerged where students can develop new skills with project-based learning, collaboratively growing, playing, and inventing. 

Our new computer lab is a makerspace!


The old computer lab has been converted into a space where students work together using shared resources to research, design, and construct artifacts for assignments. In contrast to our previous computer lab, the new makerspaces will give students real-world, hands-on opportunities to design, experiment, build, and invent while honing abilities, skills, and competencies that complement academic rigor. Students with instructional experiences in makerspaces tend to pursue career paths connected to STEM (Blackley et al., 2017)In the new makerspace, students will be able to self-direct learning and develop their skills through the use of hand tools, 3D printers, robots, sewing machines, and electronic circuit boards. We think they will enjoy the room as a welcome alternative to sitting and watching videos on a screen.


Rather than spending limited school resources on computer labs, our leadership team worked diligently with community support to provide students with additional opportunities to explore, discover, construct, and innovate while learning. We recognize the importance of this type of hands-on, collaborative learning as crucial for our students, and a makerspace in our school is a welcome evidence of this effort.

I invite you to share your thoughts on replacing our school’s computer lab with a makerspace on this blog. Thank you.

References

Blackley, S., Sheffield, R., Maynard, N., Koul, R., & Walker, R. (2017). Makerspace and reflective practice: Advancing pre-service teachers in STEM education. Australian Journal of Teacher Education (Online), 42(3), 22-37.

Julian, S. (2013). Reinventing classroom space to re-energise information literacy instruction. Journal of Information Literacy, 7(1).




Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Primer on Artificial Intelligence

Image
A quarter of the 21st century will soon elapse, and we must reflect on how we first got acquainted with what we now know as everyday technologies. Did we take formal classes, or did we learn by ourselves through errors? Truth be told, the children in our classrooms and homes have reached levels of proficiencies many of us are choosing not to achieve. The use of technology is a journey to a destination unknown, yet WE KNOW the milestones. Having passed mile markers known as search engines, mobile apps, and social media, how are we going to make meaning of the latest waymark of Artificial Intelligence for ourselves? With all the talk about Artificial Intelligence these days, it can be difficult to find a handle for making sense of it all. As a futurist, technologist, and educator, I strive to find opportunities to reveal a point for understanding technology. On the topic of A.I., the PBS documentary linked below is an excellent primer for getting started.  
Read more

State Testing Season Can Be a Time for Caring

State testing starts on Monday and we must take the time to acknowledge and understand the anxiety and stress some of us may be feeling at the moment. The pressure to ensure our students perform well can be overwhelming, and the responsibility we carry on our shoulders is immense. It is also important that we prioritize our well-being at this time. Our mental, emotional, and physical well-being are of vital importance, as they directly impact our capacity to provide the best possible support for our students.   Consider engaging in self-care activities that help manage stress and maintain a positive mindset. This could include mindfulness and relaxation practices, spending time in nature or engaging in hobbies you enjoy, additional sleep and rest, proper nutrition and hydration; exercise, etc. Please remember the power of reaching out to colleagues, administrators, or a counselor for support.   We serve as role models for others and especially to the young people we are surrou...
Read more

Saying Hello Has Consequences

I start this morning with a personal acknowledgement, I too have room for growth in this area! Consider this... Might there be two types of individuals in our work life? Those we communicate with and those we don't. The reasons we choose not to connect with others vary from one individual to the next. Perhaps we're not feeling like it right now. Everyone gets weary, irritable, busy, and not in the mood to engage in a conversation. Think about what kind of change can we affect by taking a few moments to get to further get to know a student or a colleague. We are humans after all, and we naturally put up barriers that prevent us from interacting with those around us. For many, it is a function of self-preservation, a coping skill. We protect ourselves and grow accustomed to our regular social circles. In the process, we lose sight of the need to reach out and serve those in front of us. Too often, we become mired in our own spheres spending much time in our own moments, that we i...
Read more