Computer lab

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Computer lab on SUNY Purchase campus Contemporary Computer Lab.jpg
Computer lab on SUNY Purchase campus

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]

Contents

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]

Purposes

Computer lab

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

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. VR Workstation.jpg
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]

Academic software bundles

Many universities purchase and maintain discounted academic software bundles and software suites, or free open-source software for their computer labs, such as programming text editors, programming languages, CAx software, rendering engines, Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office Suite, productivity software, statistical software, music software, video editing software, 3D animation software, and photo editing software. [6] [7]

Similar spaces

Media lab

See also: GPU workstation

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. [8] [9]

Internet café

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.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thin client</span> Non-powerful computer optimized for remote server access

In computer networking, a thin client is a simple (low-performance) computer that has been optimized for establishing a remote connection with a server-based computing environment. They are sometimes known as network computers, or in their simplest form as zero clients. The server does most of the work, which can include launching software programs, performing calculations, and storing data. This contrasts with a rich client or a conventional personal computer; the former is also intended for working in a client–server model but has significant local processing power, while the latter aims to perform its function mostly locally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desktop computer</span> Computer designed to be used at a fixed location

A desktop computer is a personal computer designed for regular use at a stationary location on or near a desk due to its size and power requirements. The most common configuration has a case that houses the power supply, motherboard, disk storage ; a keyboard and mouse for input; and a monitor, speakers, and, often, a printer for output. The case may be oriented horizontally or vertically and placed either underneath, beside, or on top of a desk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Workstation</span> High-end single-user computer

A workstation is a special computer designed for technical or scientific applications. Intended primarily to be used by a single user, they are commonly connected to a local area network and run multi-user operating systems. The term workstation has been used loosely to refer to everything from a mainframe computer terminal to a PC connected to a network, but the most common form refers to the class of hardware offered by several current and defunct companies such as Sun Microsystems, Silicon Graphics, Apollo Computer, DEC, HP, NeXT, and IBM which powered the 3D computer graphics revolution of the late 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mobile workstation</span> Larger, bulkier laptop designed to replace a desktop

A mobile workstation, also known as a desktop replacement computer (DTR) or workstation laptop, is a personal computer that provides the full capabilities of a workstation-class desktop computer while remaining mobile. They are often larger, bulkier laptops or in some cases 2-in-1 PCs with a tablet-like form factor and interface. Because of their increased size, this class of computer usually includes more powerful components and a larger display than generally used in smaller portable computers and can have a relatively limited battery capacity. Some use a limited range of desktop components to provide better performance at the expense of battery life. These are sometimes called desknotes, a blend of "desktop" and "notebook", though the term is also applied to desktop replacement computers in general. Other names being monster notebooks or musclebooks in reference to muscle cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laptop</span> Personal computer for mobile use

A laptop computer or notebook computer, also known as a laptop or notebook, is a small, portable personal computer (PC). Laptops typically have a clamshell form factor with a flat panel screen on the inside of the upper lid and an alphanumeric keyboard and pointing device on the inside of the lower lid, although 2-in-1 PCs with a detachable keyboard are often marketed as laptops or as having a "laptop mode". Most of the computer's internal hardware is fitted inside the lower lid enclosure under the keyboard, although many laptops have a built-in webcam at the top of the screen and some modern ones even feature a touch-screen display. In most cases, unlike tablet computers which run on mobile operating systems, laptops tend to run on desktop operating systems, which were originally developed for desktop computers.

Educational software is a term used for any computer software which is made for an educational purpose. It encompasses different ranges from language learning software to classroom management software to reference software. The purpose of all this software is to make some part of education more effective and efficient.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Digital audio workstation</span> Electronic device or application software used for recording, editing and producing audio files

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Project Athena</span> 1983 joint project by MIT, IBM and DEC

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Personal computer</span> Computer intended for use by an individual person

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Classes of computers</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Learning space</span> Physical setting for a learning environment

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References

  1. 1 2 3 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.
  2. van den Blink, Claire C. "Uses of Labs and Learning Spaces". Educause Review. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Hawkins, Brian; Oblinger, Diana G. "The Myth about the Need for Public Computer Labs". Educause Review. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  4. 1 2 MacPhee, Larry. "Learning Spaces: A Tutorial". Educause Review. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  5. 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.
  6. https://it.usu.edu/labs/connections/popular-computer-programs
  7. https://its.humboldt.edu/classrooms/labs-softwarelist
  8. Dennis Keohane for Beta Boston. Sept. 24, 2014 A look inside the MIT Media Lab
  9. John Markoff for the New York Times. April 25, 2011 M.I.T. Media Lab Names a New Director