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The four figures above depict what a traditional computer lab design in South African schools appears. With the permission of my mentor teacher, i was able to take those four images from the computer laboratory of West-bury secondary school. After having shared these pictures with many of my colleagues, i can confidently confirm that most school laboratories in SA have design features similar to the one above. I will now provide a critical discussion of this lab design and those similar to it, stating the advantages and disadvantages of the design. I will then give a description of the pedagogical significance of a more modern computer laboratory deign.
figure: 5 https://smithsystem.com/
Many schools are stranded between two options when it comes to computer labs. Proclaim them as dead (or dying) or turn a drab lab into an engaging dream lab that inspires active learning for 21st Century learners.
This obviously comes with several challenges for educators. Are computer labs headed for extinction or perfect candidates for a modern makeover? Lets first critically discuss some of the disadvantages of traditional computer labs.
Disadvantages of traditional computer lab designs
Many a time, designs and layouts remain unchanged despite the changing needs of learners simply because teachers and lab designers feel, it has always been done in a certain way and want to maintain the status quo. Secondly, often schools were concerned with fitting as many workstations into the room as possible. The teaching styles of educators were not considered when traditional computer labs were deigned. The teacher was viewed as the citadel of knowledge hence the traditional computer lab designs had no consideration for the learners needs.
The importance of considering the teaching styles of the academic staff and finding out what they required in a computer laboratory was disregarded. Some of the disadvantages of traditional lab designs are not limited to but also include
- No space for theory in the practical environment
- In ability to see all the screens from the front of the room
- No opportunities for collaborative learning or group work between students
- The difficulty associated with controlling inattentive students who play games, surf the net, read e-mails during class.
Advantages of modern computer lab designs
As technology progresses it is important that the environments where ICT teaching and learning occurs also adapts. The lab design is one which is able to transition to ever-changing technology platforms, rather than conform to trends. In other words, perhaps the lab stays, but its appearance and purpose leap forward. The focus: collaboration and creativity more aligned to what students will encounter at University and the workplace. As shown in figure 5, modern computer labs are both dynamic and engaging.
A modern design ensures that the students are not facing their screens during any lecture or theory time and students, have desk space to write and room for textbooks or note books. All chairs in all computer laboratories are standard ergonomic office chairs with wheels so the students also don’t have to move to a separate space for theory or practical work, they just turn around on the chair.
Figure 6: UNITEC Institute of Technology
To summarize
It goes without saying that computer lab designs in South Africa need to be improved in order to accommodate the various needs of learners in the 21st century classroom. The pedagogical complexities associated with teaching learners in our day and age requires that the learning environments also be improved. Clearly, such improvements will not last forever. Owing to that, lab designers and educators need to keep abreast with new developments in order to be able to fully equip learners with all that they need to take full advantage of the school and later work environment.
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