RIP the Campus Computer Lab, 1960-2009

theodp writes "When every student has a laptop, why run computer labs? That's a question schools have been asking themselves as computer ownership rates among incoming freshmen routinely top 90%. After only four freshmen showed up at the University of Virginia in 2007 without a computer of their own, the school decided that it's no longer worth the expense of running campus computer labs. Student computer labs have been a staple of campus life since the '60s. So what are the benefits that will be missed as other schools follow UVa's lead?" The university's report notes understanding that "that students need collaborative space where they can bring their laptops and mobile devices to conduct group work, especially as the curriculum becomes increasingly team- and project-based." One of the spaces formerly occupied by computer labs "has been transformed into a technology-rich collaboration area."

Comments

The Real Purpose Of Computer Labs

[Nutria]

[Troll]
A place where Business Major girls can go to find CompSci geeks to do their Programming for Non-majors assignments for them...
[/Troll]

Re:The Real Purpose Of Computer Labs

[MooseMuffin]

That's weird, I always thought of them as a place to pick up girls.

Re:The Real Purpose Of Computer Labs

[tarsi210]

When I was in college, I completely had a crush on this terribly cute Russian exchange MIS student (much more business-savvy than CS savvy) who always needed help with her programming courses. Unfortunately, due to the different body language characteristics, I never could interpret whether she thought I was more than just a tutor or not, so I never made that leap. She was terribly delicious, however. Alas. Ahem. Computer labs -- needed! :)

Re:The Real Purpose Of Computer Labs

[DarkOx]

Spoken like someone who has never had sex.

Re:Printing

[troll8901]

Those Printers from Buffalo, which are intimidated by other Printers from Buffalo, also intimidate other Printers from Buffalo ...

I love your University for having good Linux computers.

No More Labs?

[Anonymous Coward]

What? They have keypunch machines and card readers in every dorm now?

Re:Printing

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes, very easy to turn off your roommates/suitemates!

Given the appearance of the average /.er, yes, yes it is.

Re:Printing

[Thinboy00]

"Library's" ?? Tsk tsk.

"??" ? Tsk tsk.

Re:Printing

[speculatrix]

you kids are spoiled. when I went to university we had to submit reports on stone tablets. boy, they sure were heavy, and if you dropped one they'd splinter and you'd have to do that one all over again. it did encourage brevity though!

Re:Printing

[Anonymous Coward]

Professor!
I bring you my 15....
*drops tablet* ...
TEN! TEN page research paper!

Re:Printing

[parallel_prankster]

You are missing out the point. The IPhones of tommorow will not be what they are today. They will boast more computing power than a multiprocessor. Either that or we will not need any computing power. With cloud computing or browser operating systems, all we will need is a way to connect or probably we will always stay connected. The future is so bright.

Re:Printing

[mpeskett]

That sounds like a complicated solution for a simple problem... all he needed was earplugs or a quiet room; a dramatic restructuring of our educational culture is overengineering the issue.

Re:Printing

[Anonymous Coward]

" ?"? Tsk tsk.