The two questions are essential to each other. For schools who wish to use drill and practice software, who intend to teach mostly computer-based skills, and for those without knowledgeable teachers to use them, the lab may be the best situation. Computers belong in all classrooms, not held captive in the computer lab and taught as a specialized subject area at a scheduled time. All staff and students need to learn how to effectively use this instrument. This can most realistically happen when computers are conveniently accessible in a classroom.
Computer labs have a number of drawbacks.
In a lab setting, the computer is learned apart from other subjects and activities. It is much more difficult to integrate technology into other areas of the curriculum within the lab setting. The computer becomes a separate course or activity, rather than a tool used to enhance learning in other areas. Time limits are another disadvantage to computer labs. Most educators have an assigned time to use the lab.