A computer lab is a space where computer services are provided to a defined community. These are typically public libraries and academic institutions.[1] Generally, users must follow a certain user policy to retain access to the computers. This usually consists of rules such as no illegal activity during use or attempts to circumvent any security or content-control software while using the computers.[1]
Computer labs are often subject to time limits in order to allow more people access to use the lab. It is also common for personal login credentials to be required for access.[1] This allows institutions to track the user's activities for any possible fraudulent use. The computers in computer labs are typically equipped with internet access, scanners, and printers and are typically arranged in rows. This is to give the workstation a similar view to facilitate lecturing or presentations,[2] and also to facilitate small group work.[3]
For some academic institutions, student laptops or laptop carts [4] take place of dedicated computer labs. However, computer labs still have a place in applications requiring special software or hardware which are not easily accessible in personal computers.[3]
While computer labs are generally multipurpose, some labs may contain computers with hardware or software optimized for certain tasks or processes, depending on the needs of the institution operating the lab. These specialized purposes may include video editing, stock trading, 3-D computer-aided design, programming, and GIS.[3] Increasingly, these have become the main purposes for the existence of traditional desktop-style computer labs, due to rising ownership of inexpensive personal computers making use of the lab only necessary when the expensive, specialized software and more powerful computers needed to run it are required.[3]
Arrangements
around the classroom
arranged in rows
Ring
Alternatives
Some labs use both desktops and laptops. This lab uses desktops for specific uses, such as the Virtual Reality Workstation, and laptops for general computing.
In some settings, traditional desktop computer labs are impractical due to the requirement of a dedicated space. Because of this, some labs use laptop carts instead of desktop setups, in order to both save space and give the lab some degree of mobility.[4] In the context of academic institutions, some traditional desktop computer labs are being phased out in favor of other solutions judged to be more efficient given that most students own personal laptops. One of these solutions is a virtual lab, which can allow users to install software from the lab server onto their own laptops or log into virtual machines remotely, essentially turning their own laptops into lab machines.[5]
Similar spaces
Media lab
A media lab (often referred to as "new media lab" or "media research lab") is a term used for interdisciplinary organizations, collectives or spaces with the main focus on new media, digital culture and technology. The MIT Media Lab is a well-known example of a media lab.[6][7]
An Internet café differs from a computer lab in that usage of a computer lab is generally free for those with access, while Internet cafés charge for computer use. The term 'Internet café' is often used interchangeably with 'computer lab' but may differ from a computer lab in that users can also connect to the Internet using their own computer or device, and users of a computer lab generally do not need any equipment of their own.
^ abcMcCampbell, Atefeh S; Liedlich, Fred (1996). "Ethics and the Student Computer Lab". Journal of Business Ethics. 15 (8): 897–900. doi:10.1007/BF00381857. JSTOR 25072815. S2CID 144690029.
^van den Blink, Claire C. "Uses of Labs and Learning Spaces". Educause Review. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
^ abcdHawkins, Brian; Oblinger, Diana G. "The Myth about the Need for Public Computer Labs". Educause Review. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
^ abMacPhee, Larry. "Learning Spaces: A Tutorial". Educause Review. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
^Schaeffer, Henry E.; Averitt, Samuel F.; Hoit, Marc I.; Peeler, Aaron; Sills, Eric D.; Vouk, Mladen A. (2009). "NCSU's Virtual Computing Lab: A Cloud Computing Solution". Computer. 42 (7): 94–97. doi:10.1109/MC.2009.230. S2CID 36540210.
^Dennis Keohane for Beta Boston. Sept. 24, 2014 A look inside the MIT Media Lab
^John Markoff for the New York Times. April 25, 2011 M.I.T. Media Lab Names a New Director
External links
Media related to Computer labs at Wikimedia Commons
August 01, 2023
computer, this, article, multiple, issues, please, help, improve, discuss, these, issues, talk, page, learn, when, remove, these, template, messages, lead, section, this, article, need, rewritten, lead, layout, guide, ensure, section, follows, wikipedia, norms. This article has multiple issues Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page Learn how and when to remove these template messages The lead section of this article may need to be rewritten Use the lead layout guide to ensure the section follows Wikipedia s norms and is inclusive of all essential details February 2014 Learn how and when to remove this template message This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Computer lab news newspapers books scholar JSTOR July 2015 Learn how and when to remove this template message This article possibly contains original research Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations Statements consisting only of original research should be removed December 2007 Learn how and when to remove this template message Learn how and when to remove this template message A computer lab is a space where computer services are provided to a defined community These are typically public libraries and academic institutions 1 Generally users must follow a certain user policy to retain access to the computers This usually consists of rules such as no illegal activity during use or attempts to circumvent any security or content control software while using the computers 1 Computer lab on SUNY Purchase campusComputer labs are often subject to time limits in order to allow more people access to use the lab It is also common for personal login credentials to be required for access 1 This allows institutions to track the user s activities for any possible fraudulent use The computers in computer labs are typically equipped with internet access scanners and printers and are typically arranged in rows This is to give the workstation a similar view to facilitate lecturing or presentations 2 and also to facilitate small group work 3 For some academic institutions student laptops or laptop carts 4 take place of dedicated computer labs However computer labs still have a place in applications requiring special software or hardware which are not easily accessible in personal computers 3 Contents 1 Purposes 2 Arrangements 3 Alternatives 4 Similar spaces 4 1 Media lab 4 2 Internet cafe 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksPurposes Edit source source source source source source Computer labWhile computer labs are generally multipurpose some labs may contain computers with hardware or software optimized for certain tasks or processes depending on the needs of the institution operating the lab These specialized purposes may include video editing stock trading 3 D computer aided design programming and GIS 3 Increasingly these have become the main purposes for the existence of traditional desktop style computer labs due to rising ownership of inexpensive personal computers making use of the lab only necessary when the expensive specialized software and more powerful computers needed to run it are required 3 Arrangements Edit around the classroom arranged in rows RingAlternatives Edit Some labs use both desktops and laptops This lab uses desktops for specific uses such as the Virtual Reality Workstation and laptops for general computing In some settings traditional desktop computer labs are impractical due to the requirement of a dedicated space Because of this some labs use laptop carts instead of desktop setups in order to both save space and give the lab some degree of mobility 4 In the context of academic institutions some traditional desktop computer labs are being phased out in favor of other solutions judged to be more efficient given that most students own personal laptops One of these solutions is a virtual lab which can allow users to install software from the lab server onto their own laptops or log into virtual machines remotely essentially turning their own laptops into lab machines 5 Similar spaces EditMedia lab Edit A media lab often referred to as new media lab or media research lab is a term used for interdisciplinary organizations collectives or spaces with the main focus on new media digital culture and technology The MIT Media Lab is a well known example of a media lab 6 7 Internet cafe Edit Main article Internet cafe An Internet cafe differs from a computer lab in that usage of a computer lab is generally free for those with access while Internet cafes charge for computer use The term Internet cafe is often used interchangeably with computer lab but may differ from a computer lab in that users can also connect to the Internet using their own computer or device and users of a computer lab generally do not need any equipment of their own See also EditComputer science Computers in the classroom School library Kiosk software Public computer LAN gaming centerReferences Edit a b c McCampbell Atefeh S Liedlich Fred 1996 Ethics and the Student Computer Lab Journal of Business Ethics 15 8 897 900 doi 10 1007 BF00381857 JSTOR 25072815 S2CID 144690029 van den Blink Claire C Uses of Labs and Learning Spaces Educause Review Retrieved 4 November 2015 a b c d Hawkins Brian Oblinger Diana G The Myth about the Need for Public Computer Labs Educause Review Retrieved 4 November 2015 a b MacPhee Larry Learning Spaces A Tutorial Educause Review Retrieved 11 November 2015 Schaeffer Henry E Averitt Samuel F Hoit Marc I Peeler Aaron Sills Eric D Vouk Mladen A 2009 NCSU s Virtual Computing Lab A Cloud Computing Solution Computer 42 7 94 97 doi 10 1109 MC 2009 230 S2CID 36540210 Dennis Keohane for Beta Boston Sept 24 2014 A look inside the MIT Media Lab John Markoff for the New York Times April 25 2011 M I T Media Lab Names a New DirectorExternal links Edit Media related to Computer labs at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Computer lab amp oldid 1166897256, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
