The Computer Lab

I ran into an interesting situation today though. One of our school computers kept restarting and I suspected another power supply problem. When I opened up the case, I found something unexpected..... a nest. It does not seem to be occupied anymore but it was probably the home of a family of mud wasps or something similar. It is cemented to the network card which suggests to me that they were trying to access the internet. Please excuse the puns, but this was definitely a system bug and it's been a while since I've seen a computer with a bee drive!

I have been spending an increasing amount of time in the computer lab recently. Since I have very few actual classes in there, I open it up in the afternoons to anyone who wants to come in. I'm starting to recognize the faces of the regulars now, and they are helpful because during regular classes, they can use their increased mouse and keyboard skills to help out other kids (for example, the kid who can't double click or otherwise struggles with the mouse). Although I have components for 12 complete computers, I only have enough working parts for 9. We seem to have a problem with blowing out CRT monitors and I suspect the inconsistent electricity might have something to do with it. Two of my machines have blown power supplies. Last year we had a dial-up internet connection but it's not currently working since the school has 0.5 phone lines, meaning that we can receive calls but not make any of our own.

We are running a form of Linux on our computers and I'm quite impressed by it. StarOffice (free!) seems as good as Microsoft Office. There is also a basic paint program, typing tutors, and lots of small games. These are particularly good for developing mouse/keyboard skills in the kids. Many of the kids are using a computer for the first time, so my lessons are painfully slow. In 40 minutes, on 9 computers, with up to 42 kids who have never used a computer, creating a folder or saving a file is a lesson plan for me. Most of them can now navigate the menu system which means I can give them verbal instructions rather than physically moving their hand on the mouse.