I've opted for a dedicated computer space, laptops are more portable and take less space, but the reduced budget of going with desktop machines makes the total bill more palatable at the time of presentation. I did opt for 17" flatscreen monitors to reduce the on-desk footprint of the machines and make them somewhat more mobile if need be. Less mobile machines are less likely to walk off. I'm shooting at 30 machines which students can double up on if need be, but that should be enough for many classes. I chose the Asgard Midgard AMD-V series machines both for economy and largely because they are the only vender I know of that will do on site maintenance in northern Minnesota. $830. These are fantastic computers that are more than up to running almost all software available today and will continue to do so for several years to come.
These machines will be in my regular math classroom, I will put a counter around two walls and double up along one wall with a row of dedicated tables to make room for these machines.
Students will have tasks to complete on the computers every week and will often have the option of using them for many other assignments. During the week it will be common to see some students at their desks and others at computer workstations. And during computer workdays most of the students would be along the wall at the workstations.
LOGO - if I can get my hands on LOGO, I'll spend several days teaching students how to use it and I will create several laminated guidebooks with instructions, keywords and examples. Then LOGO will remain available to students as an exploration tool. It will also be available as a freetime fun program. I may reintroduce LOGO as an option for robotics.
Lego - I've included a full Mindstorm setup in my budget so that students can develop analytical and problem solving skills while having fun solving robotic challenges.
Geometer's Sketchpad - Many explorations will be assigned on this software (these explorations will largely be taken from the great plethora of web exercises, many specifically written for Sketchpad). This software will also be available to students as an exploration tool and as a freetime fun program.
Accelerated Math - I've included this software because I spent some time tutoring at the middle school and I was impressed with the ease that individual student progress was documented and how easily many students at different levels were managed.
Internet use will be strictly regulated. If the school network is on the internet, then I will disconnect my subnet from the school network except for when students are supposed to be on the internet. Perhaps one or two machines will remain online all the time, but will be monitored. When doing research Web use will be allowed and all computers will be online.
I would be happy to teach homepage design as a computer science teacher at any grade level, but I doubt that I would include homepage design in any class short of that unless the school decided otherwise. I will maintain a professional homepage that will include information about the classes I am teaching for students, parents and other education professionals.
Students may be allowed to access email on select machines if they do not abuse the priveledge.
Mindstorm products
W991090 (1) Robotics Educator Start-Up Pack $1,250.00 $1,250.00
-includes site license and 4 sets
W979649 (4) Technology Resource Set $57.00 $228.00
-includes extra construction parts
W979786 (20) ROBO Technology Set with USB Cable $152.00 $3,040.00
-The basic set, uses the software above.
$4,518.00
Accelerated Math
Software site license
$2309.32
Geometer's SketchpadUnlimited-User School Site License/Network Package
* Complete single-user support package
* 20 Quick Reference Guides 1-55953-526-1
$1,499.95
Asgard computers
Midgard AMD-V series $499.00 * 30 = $14,999.70 (including 3 year warrenty and
on site maintenance)
17" LCD Flatscreen +$329.99 * 30 = $9899,70
=$24,899.40 -15% (25+ computers)
=$21,164.49
Grand Total
$29,491.76
updated 8-04-05 by Simon Goble