The Ideal Computer Classroomexcerpted from Linda Gerarrd
The ideal computer classroom is more than a room with state-of-the-art equipment: Itâs an ideal writing space, a place for readers, writers, and editors to gather in groups and to work alone. Writing and writers?not computers?are the focus of the room. To enable work in small and large groups, computer desks and chairs are arranged in clusters, circles, or semicircles. Swivel chairs on casters allow writers to face any direction or move to any part of the room. Desks have compartments for personal belongings, so that the instructor and students can move around the room without tripping over clutter. The lighting is adustable, so the room can be darkened for viewing films and using an overhead projector. The environment is personal, comfortable, and informal: The lighting is natural, not harsh; the floors are carpeted; the chairs are upholstered and adjustable. In short, this is a relaxed setting conducive to thinking. The lab provides enough computers for all students (maybe even an extra computer or two, in case one breaks down); a printer for every two students; a whiteboard (chalk dust from traditional blackboards can damage computers) with colored pens for formal presentations, informal messages, or graffiti.
The ideal classroom provides computer documentation; dictionaries, writing handbooks, and other reference books; and electronic databases for research. Itâs outfitted with tables for writing by hand, a projector connected to a computer for presentations and a full range of hardware for instructors who want to teach through networked systems and for writers who want to share their work over electronic bulletin boards. Its software offers a variety of invention and revising aids as well as the special graphics, presentation, spreadsheet, and formatting software for journalism, business-writing, legal-writing, and script-writing courses. It has storage space for printer ribbons, disks, paper, and other computer paraphernalia, air conditioning to keep the machines (and people) from overheating on a hot day, carpeting to absorb noise, static protection mats, and electric surge protectors. It provides easy access to technicians in case of breakdowns, and, of course, it is secure against theft (Myers 151-52).
Gerarrd, Linda. "Designing Computerized Writing Classrooms." In Approaches to Computer Writing Classrooms: Learning from Practical Experience. Linda Myers, ed. New York: State U of New York P, 1993. 149-63.