HARDWARE
The student workstation were selected because it contains components such as expandable R6M ( up to 32GB), a powerful CPU, a ITB hard drive,64-bit graphics card to support streaming media, a high resolution LCD monitor with built-in speakers, an HD webcam, window 7,, Microsoft office and Norton Antivirus. The components that comprise this workstation are suited to the performance of multimedia interaction. Students will be able to participate in webinars, perform internet research, and interact with the school’s learning management system with minimal latency issues and system freezes or crashes. We selected a portable computer for the student’s model so that they maybe disconnect from the dock and have freedom of mobility to move the laptop around the room to work with the students at their stations or all the center conference room table. The Alien ware laptop is traditionally a gaming laptop, meaning that it has powerful media -streaming capabilities to support highly detailed video games. In an academic setting however, this creates a powerful learning tool that can support graphic design software as well as multimedia streaming and interaction to bring more technology and creativity into the classroom .A docking station and additional monitor were also added to the students workstation to provide the student with the portsand connectivity of a desktop system, while still maintaining the freedom and flexibility of a laptop.
The lab design comes equipped with one network printer and one network Scanner for student use and one network printer and one networked scanner for the lecture’s use the printers are able to print 40 pages per minute and support manual feed paper and envelopes for a variety of printing needs. The scanners are desktop, page feed scanners with 600dpi. They scan in color and automatically scan two sided, so that students may convert their hardcopy work in to PDF files for easy storage and emailing. The lab design also comes equipped with a celling mounted smart board for interactive lesson and quizzes, as well as lecturer demonstrations.
CABLES AND CONNECTIVITY
In order to save money on the production of this lab, high quality cat cable were purchased in l000ft bulk, along with tools to create network cables. This way, cables may be custom made for this lab to reduce cable clutter and material waste from cutting unneeded premade cables to the correct length. Six-pcrt keystone faceplates were chosen to provide room for growth. The design team will leave any unused materials with the school, so in the event that any expansions or repairs need to be made, some materials will already be onsite.
Raceways were also purchased in 50ft bulk spools to create customs raceways for this lab. Again, being able to cut the exact measurement needed from bulk material reduces waste and saves the school money.
This lab design also features green surge protectors. items plugged in to Green spaces on the surge protector will also shut down when the computer Is shut down in to stand-by mode . Therefore, any workstation with additional equipment, such as speakers, microphones, printers, or scanners will save reduce the energy consumption of those items when the station is shut down at no additional effort of the user.
SOFTWARE
The utilization of windows and Microsoft products in offices and other computer labs. Therefore, this lab design also features windows products to be consistent with the school district. As stated in the workstation, each workstation. comes equipped with windows 7 operating system and Microsoft office. Students will be able to take advantages of the Microsoft tools to write report, create tables, spread sheet and calendars, and prepared power point presentation Adobe suites will allow the students to explore webpage development through dream weaver; work with videos files in flash; manage and edit PDF document; and manage and edit image in photo shop. These software packages will provide students with word processing and multimedia experience valuable to their academic careers. Continuing with the use of windows products, the system supports web-based application, has improved files-transfer services, as well as easy to access customer service and trouble- shooting features. To protect the workstations, each computer comes equipped with Norton Antivirus which protects computers not only from viruses, but also from spyware malware and some aspects of identity theft. Furthermore , the lab shall be equipped with synchrony-Eyes classroom management soft ware. This software allows the instructor a view of every work station in the lab. This enable the instructor to aid students in their work by being able to see their progress, and will also enable the instructor to stop students from accessing inappropriate materials through the internet. In addition to synchrony-Eyes, This lab features deep freeze which will enable the instructor to return workstations to their preferred settings and configurations should a student accidently download harmful material of inadvertently alter the station’s software settings.
