The ESL/CBET Technology Guide, a manual written by and for teachers in
the Division of Adult and Career Education of the Los Angeles
UnifiedSchool District, available for download as a pdf file at
http://www.adultinstruction.org/administrators/handbooks/esl_tech_guide.
pdf has several articles about organizing and managing a computer lab
and the integration of a computer lab into the entirety of an ESL
curriculum.  The Technology Guide was produced in 2001 so it might be a
bit outdated, but most things would still be valid. Instructors and
administrators who are thinking about implementing wireless laptops
might be interested in some photos (see link below) from Western
Michigan University, which highlight their wireless computer lab and
movable tables so that if a teacher wants a circular arrangement one day
and another teacher wants rows, a few minutes of rolling tables around
gives both the seating arrangement they desire.
http://www.wmich.edu/teachenglish/subpages/classroom/eel.htm#

Barry Bakin
ESL Teacher Adviser
Division of Adult and Career Education
Los Angeles Unified School District

-----Original Message-----
From: technology-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:technology-bounces at nifl.gov]
On Behalf Of Nima Salehi
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2006 9:38 AM
To: technology at nifl.gov
Subject: [Technology 413] Re: new tech lab set up potential


Depending on the room, the learners, and the teachers this could be set
up in a lot of different ways. 

As an instructor I like a set up where I can see at a glance whether
everyone is following or having difficulties, and where I can reach them
quickly and easily to help out. So I like a formation where students
computers are along the walls to either side, and a teacher station in
the middle. The projector ideally should be ceiling mounted projecting
on a white board or boards at one or both ends of the room. There should
be plenty of table room between computers so that students can switch
from computers to print projects and so that students can be comfortably
paired up on computers. That means we also need stackable chairs in
addition to computer chairs to increase the seating for students, if
needed. 

Alternatively you could get a COW (Computers on Wheels) stored in one
corner of the room, filled with about 15-20 laptops, with a wireless
connection. The room would have around six 4 foot tables which could be
moved around to meet the needs of different classes. Chairs that could
be stacked; again to meet class needs (bigger or smaller).  It would be
nice to have an LCD projector on the ceiling that projected on to the
white board or a Smart Board. Using a COW means more set up and break
down time for teachers, which might be a big drawback, but then the COW
could be used in other classrooms as well as long as you have good
wireless connectivity throughout the building.

Key to either project is ongoing teacher training on how to use the lab
with learners. Budgeting for this is important. Without adequate
training the best technology equipment will be underused or used
ineffectively and add to the frustration of teachers and students alike.


Nima

Nima Salehi
Educational technology specialist
Minnesota Literacy Council
Email:  nsalehi at themlc.org
Phone: 651-645-2277  ext. 224