Computer Lab Design

Somewhere High School * Somewhere Public Schools

Overview The following is a computer lab designed for Somewhere High School in Somewhere, Maryland. This school has 19 classrooms and serves approximately 400 students. The computer lab is designed with 30 student workstations. This design focuses on the instructional purpose of the lab, specific hardware choices including the actual computers and peripherals, the server, networking capabilities, teacher support and more. The total budget for this project is $45,000. Instructional Purpose This computer lab will be used for technology classes as well as to support teachers and other classroom projects and activities. It has been designed with this purpose in mind. It has also been designed so that it will easily change and grow with the school, students, and emerging technologies. Budget Summary Equipment Quantity Student Tables 30 Collab Table from SMART Desks Adjustable Table 2 VERTDesk Adjustable Height Desk Chairs 31 Mesh Back Chair on Castors Desktop Computer 31 OptiPlex 390 Monitor 31 Dell P2412H Mouse 35 Logitech Wireless Mouse Cost Each $199.99 $689.00 $76.99 $449.00 $209.30 $29.99 Total $5,999.70 $1,378.00 $2,309.70 $13,640 $6,488.30 $1,049.65

Headphones 35 $14.99 $524.65 Cyber Acoustics AC204 Keyboards 35 $55.99 $1,959.65 Arc wireless Keyboard Equipment Quantity Cost Each Total Cables 10 $22.99 $229.90 TRIPP LITE N002-100-BL 100 ft. Cat 5E Blue Cat5e 350MHz Molded Patch Cable Server 1 $899.00 $899.00 PowerEdge T410 Tower Server Network Switch 2 $243.00 $486.00 Intellinet 524155 16-Port Fast Ethernet Rackmount PoE Switch UPS 1 $320.00 $320.00 Dell PowerEdge 500W Tower UPS Router 2 $419.99 $839.98 Linksys RV016 10/100 16-Port VPN Router Projector 1 $821.99 $821.99 NEC L50W Projector Document Camera 1 $699.99 $699.99 ELMO TT-12 Black and White Printer 1 $558.99 $558.99 DellTM 2335dn Multifunction Monochrome Laser Printer Color Printer 1 $1,119.99 $1,119.99 Dell C3760dn Color Laser Printer Microsoft Office 31 $99.95 $3,098.45 Microsoft Office Suite Anti-virus Software 31 $39.95 $1,238.45 Symantec Anti-Virus Total $44,782.38 Justification Student Computer Tables According to the Office of Information Technology at the University of Colorado Boulder, The purpose of a facility is the strongest influence on the furniture and layout of the facility (2012). Because this computer lab will be used primarily for instructional purposes, including collaborative projects, I have designed it so that it is easily reconfigurable to support different types

of work. The desk that I chose is called the SMART desk Collaborative Table. Due to its innovative design the tables can be configured into small groups, rows, horseshoe patterns, and more. This will allow the lab to change and grow with the school. Adjustable Height Desks The UC Boulder Office of Information Technology office also recommended that every computer lab have at least one workstation in each facility should be placed on an adjustable height table for accessibility by people using wheelchairs (2012). They also recommend that the teacher workstation be adjustable to support different types of teaching. The VERTDesk will provide accessibility to all students and allow flexibility for teachers during instruction and individual or collaborative student work. Chairs I chose these chairs for several reasons. The chairs I chose are adjustable to ensure all users can be seated comfortably. Also, Terrill recommends the use of chairs on rollers (2006). The castors allow students to move and work together without damaging the floors or making noise as the chairs slide across the floor. Computer Processing Unit/Monitor Technology on a Shoestring recommends mid-level computers for school computer labs (Terrill, 2006). The OptiPlex 390 will allow all applications to run smoothly and will support all necessary functions of the

computer lab. The monitor is an appropriate size and will support the computers without unnecessary features and price. Keyboard/Mouse/Headphones These items were chosen for their overall value. They are sufficient quality for the amount of use they will receive but they do not have extra features that are not needed. I have also purchased five extra units to account for breakage.

Cables The cable used is sufficient to ensure all computers can be hooked up and connected to the network. Cat5 cable is the standard cable used to hook up computer components. Server This server will be sufficient to serve the needs of the computer lab. The Dell PowerEdge T410 Tower Server is Dells high value and flexible 2-socket tower (Dell, 2012). It is the best option for a cost-effective solution. It will also allow flexibility for future growth. Network Switch This is a 19 in. rack mount 16-port fast ethernet rack mount PoE switch. It is a cost-effective solution for networking within the lab. UPS

Terrill recommends that an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) is used to protect the computer lab from lightening strikes, power spikes, and other problems with the electrical supply (2006). The UPS purchased is sufficient for the number of computers and total needs of the computer lab. Router This router will provide wifi printing capabilities for the lab. It will allow easy use and make these capabilities available to all users.

Projector The projector chosen will be hooked to the teacher workstation and provides versatile options for classroom instruction. It will allow teachers to complete lectures/activities/instruction. This equipment will support teachers and work for them in the classroom. Document Camera The document camera will fill a void that the projector leaves. It will allow teachers to discuss worksheets or other printed materials while projecting them for the entire class to see. Black and White Printer

This printer is a mid-level printer that can fax/scan/copy/print in black and white. It is sufficient to handle the amount of activity it will get in the lab without spending more than necessary. Color Printer The color printer will allow students and teachers to print documents in color to support instruction and other activities. It is a mid-level printer that can handle the use within the computer lab. Microsoft Office Microsoft Office Suite will support many activities within the computer lab. It will be one of the most used software applications and is necessary on every machine in the lab.

Anti-Virus Software Anti-virus software will protect the school, computer lab equipment, information, and students and teachers from viruses and other dangers of the internet. Staffing for Maintenance and Security The computer lab will be maintained by the technology department staff. To ensure the equipment is secure the room will be locked unless occupied by a class. Teachers who are using the room will be responsible for ensuring the equipment is being used properly.

Conclusion This computer lab design will serve the students and teachers of Somewhere High School. It has everything needed to fulfill its instructional purpose and will be able to expand and grow with the needs of the school.

Resources Dell. (2012). Dell Education Pricing. Retrieved from http://content.dell.com/us/en/k-12/k-12-solutions Office of Information Technology, University of Colorado Boulder. (2012). Computer lab design considerations. Retrieved from http://oit.colorado.edu/software-hardware/computer-labdesign/computer-lab-design Terrill, T. (2006). Technology on a Shoestring. New York, NY: Teachers College Press