In 1999, Baker Elementary School in San Jose, California converted their computer lab of 18 independent work stations into a thin-client computing center with 30 thin clients. They chose thin clients to improve reliability and reduce the time staff spent on maintenance and troubleshooting.
Teachers bring their classes to the lab at least once a week for instruction.
Students line up during recess to play Math Blaster, write stories, practice typing, and research homework. Ann West, the computer lab instructor, created a Computer Lab web page linked to safe, educational sites for students to use. The media center is part of a district-wide program started by Moreland School District Superintendent, Dr. Jim Ritchie, for which he was selected administrator of the year in 1998 by the California School Library Association. Need When the media center first opened with 18 independent work stations, a technology-savvy teacher was selected to instruct teachers and students in the new lab. She planned to develop curriculum and show teachers how to integrate technology into their daily activities.