Teachers don't have time to poke around a lab to see what's there, so the kids get left to their own choosing or do only that which the teacher knows about. Either is counter productive. The best situation, in my opinion, is to have classrooms networked with as many stations as possible, AND a lab with a well qualified person. Teachers will learn the most in this environment, and so will kids. There's nothing like a lab setting to introduce new concepts, and nothing like a classroom computer for some private practise or exploration.
Teachers benefit greatly as well from having stations at their disposal.
Lord have mercy if you don't. I've been there and seen that movie. It can get bloody. Gail Watson Mrs. Gail Watson Computer Technologist Pattie Elementary School 16125 Dumfries Rd.