As stimulus money starts rolling in for educational use, many schools and technology administrators are using that money to improve or upgrade their school’s technology. Schools around the nation are also adding new classrooms, sometimes each with 5 or more computers per classroom, or replacing existing computer labs, or building entirely new computer labs.
Computer lab usage has grown dramatically in the last 10 years. Lab usage is often measured in a ratio of students to instructional computers. As computer usage in the classroom grows it is important to plan ahead for increased usage. While a ratio of 6.8 students to 1 instructional computer was common in the past, cutting edge schools may see ratios as low as 3.7 students per computer. Many schools have set a modest goal of 5 students to 1 computer.
As computers become more complex and useful in the classroom, computer tables and computer lab furniture have grown and adapted to meet these new needs in schools. Many of the most popular models now include an integrated, concealed wire management tray, keeping stray wires hidden and off the desktop where they can snag on backpacks. CPU holders are available on most computer tables, and do an excellent job with two purposes – provide more desk space for students’ work supplies, mouse and keyboard; and keep the computer unit out of the way and off the floor, far from where dust collects or where it can be kicked. While many tables are offered in a single computer model, many schools are opting for the two computer/student models, which offer greater space savings for labs.
