[WEB4LIB] RE: Computer Training Room Specifications

[Julia Schult]

Steve's view is very close to my dream training classroom, also.  I would put
the trainer/instructor station in the center of the room with the trainee
computers around the outside (facing the walls).  I love the wireless laptops
"option"; would that we could afford both systems.

With the small size and cheaper prices of quality projection systems these days,
you don't need the ceiling-mounted projector, and having it on the instructor's
workstation could make the setup more flexible.  Though if mounted overhead, it
would be harder to walk in front of it, so maybe ceiling mount is better...  How
about two projector screens, above the trainee's computers on the sides of the
room (instructor would use a laser pointer to point with) and the whiteboard at
one end of the room?

I would use Deep Freeze (www.hypertec.com) on the machines to freeze the main
hard drive and the memory drive, and have an unfrozen user drive that people
could actually save things to.  And have a clean Ghost (Symantec) of the
computer so they can be restored at will.

Did anyone else attend the videoconference a few months back about the
Technological Classroom?  One of the aspects that I found interesting was how
different sized classrooms are appropriate for different purposes.  I think
Steve is a little conservative about how many people can be taught in a computer
training session, so I'd ideally see 14-20 computers, but certainly no more.

---Julia E. Schult
Access/Electronic Services Librarian
Elmira College
Jschult at elmira.edu

Steve Garwood wrote:

>      Ok I know this is a dream, but I want it:
>
>      Well I'd get as big a room as I could (but still be quaint), the
> computer stations would ensure that trainees had line of site access to the
> trainer, however no more than 12-15 workstations max for trainings.
> Computers would be "amazingly" fast (600mhz minimum/128mb RAM) with 17"
> monitors. T1/T3 access to the room. In the room would be plants, the walls
> would be a nice neutral color with posters, painting etc. (I hate white
> rooms and if being videotaped everything get "glarey"). I would name all the
> computers too - 7 dwarves, Santa's reindeer, existential philosophers, etc..
> And, the room would be sparkly clean.
>
>      There would be a trainers workstation in the front of the room that
> could control/capture the trainees computers and see what they're seeing on
> their screens. There would be a roof mounted projection system. DIMMER
> switches on the lights so it could be adjusted based on the audience. As
> comfortable chairs as possible for long trainings. There would be a large
> dry erase board, a screen I could use to project (which preferably wouldn't
> block the dry erase board in case I needed to write something).  Two
> disabled workstations which table tops could be heightened or lowered and
> come complete with some type of web surfing software (Jaws, etc.).  I'd have
> web-cams and microphones in case your going to teach multimedia. At least 2
> scanners in case you'll be teaching that, at least 2 zip drives and a cd
> burner. A black and white printer and a color printer also. Some type of
> amplification system with a wireless lavaier (Seniors 2 feet away from me
> often can't hear even when I'm yelling), a wireless mouse (they're awesome).
> Additionally, there would be ez computer access for trainers to develop
> materials, server space to house materials, a good budget for handouts and
> training publications, and some type of money for toys/prizes for training
> games. A water fountain/cooler just outside the room would be awesome too.
> Lots of computer disks.
>
>      For applications - MS Office Professional, IE, NN, MS FrontPage (comes
> with Office Professional), Macromedia Dreamweaver, and a straight html
> editor, Adobe plug-ins and Acrobat, Shockwave plug-ins, Ariel,
> Photoshop/Corel PhotoDraw, Paintshop Pro ($100), an ftp client - cuteftp or
> msftp, some type of security software like Fortress (you'll need it) and I'd
> run it on Windows NT with a good administrator handy. Please, Please, make
> sure all the desktops look the same.
>
>     Hmmm, of course if you want cutting edge I might recommend 8-12 bleeding
> edge laptops with wireless LAN technology, and all the applications listed
> above. That way you'd be mobile.
>
>     In my opinion, the most important thing - there would ALWAYS be a WELL
> TRAINED assistant for the trainer in the room.
>
>  Hope this helps,
>
>  Steve
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Pinkham, Lida [mailto:LPinkham at plcmc.lib.nc.us]
> Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2000 11:46 AM
> To: Multiple recipients of list
> Subject: [WEB4LIB] Computer Training Room Specifications
>
> If the sky was the limit, what would the specifications look like for your
> ideal computer training room? A room that would be used to train both staff
> and the public on computer applications and that would be accessible to
> those with disabilities.  Computer applications would not only include the
> basics like the internet and wordprocessing, but also some web design and
> graphics programs.
>
> I'm looking for cutting edge ideas with a practical application.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Lida Pinkham
> Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County
> Library Resource Trainer
> 704-353-0631 (phone)
> 704-366-8633 (fax)
>
> Check out the PLCMC family of websites:
> http://www.plcmc.lib.nc.us/family/family.htm
>
> "Read the best books first, or you may not have a chance to read them at
> all."
> ~Henry David Thoreau

--