My only gripe is not having sports access. This year missed NBA completely.:(
You could always buy a season ticket to watch your local college or D-League team. Yes, I know that's not for everybody, such as someone with a family or someone who follows multiple sports.
The only issue with this is that many of the professional leagues have blackout restrictions that prevent you from getting their service if you are in the team's local market.
I am sorry to say but the question is vague. When you talk of ideal, what do you mean?
Could these options help focus your mind to what you need?
A lab that is facilitates learning...
A lab that will reduce the potential impact of interruptions from outside sources...
A lab that helps students explore the inner workings of either software or related hardware...
A lab that helps focus students to today's and tomorrow's likely IT trends...
A lab that will make the Systems Administrator's life easy...
A lab that will be easily upgrade-able to new software and hardware as they become available...
A lab that will not be bound to a single software or hardware support paradigm...
Please be more specific and make up your mind. This is (I am sure you know), Slashdot.
A lab that facilitates learning is definitely the #1 requirement. I mainly teach web design and programming so exploring hardware isn't quite as important. I do have a "play" computer and several computer parts in my current room, though.
Start with the Infrastructure: wiring, power, desks, layout etc. Computers come and go, and even if you buy brand new computers, they will be gone in 5 years. Infrastructure will last, so make sure it is done RIGHT!!
Second, think about HOW you're going to teach "computers", and what that really means. You asked about "computers" and I'm thinking you don't know what you are teaching. Probably "Word", "Excel", and "Powerpoint", but if you want to do your students a favor, don't teach "Programs" or "Applications" teach what they do "writing", "spreadsheet", and "presentation"... and make them use a variety of programs to accomplish the assignments.
Finally, make sure you have something like VISION in your lab.
I'm glad you pointed out the infrastructure. That is probably something I would have overlooked. I mainly teach web design and programming courses, including AP Computer Science.
I also tried out the Apple TV but ended up returning it for a Mac Mini, which is much more configurable. The Apple TV interface is beautiful, but the lack of streaming content and the sparse customization options made we reconsider it. Plex or Boxee are much better options.
I have to second the recommendation of Plex. I bought a Mac Mini and set it up with a RAID array that I already had. I'm still in the process of ripping all my DVDs using HandBrake for the Mac, but those that I have ripped play in Plex beautifully. It's also nice to have easy access to Hulu as well as other web video through the program. It still has a few quirks, but nothing deal-breaking. Since it is based off of XBMC there are already a number of skins available for it as well as add-ons. The Apple Remote works well, but it will even work with nicer programmable remotes.
Re:Head First seems too limited
on
Head First C#
·
· Score: 2, Insightful
Granted, in this case I don't know the language C#, but in general I never really understood the Head First series, unless you really like printed introductions to languages. It would just make more sense to use free Internet resources to take your first steps in C#, and then get O'Reilly's e.g. C# 3.0 in a Nutshell as a good desk reference. Tech books are expensive, so it just doesn't make sense to invest in a primer that, after you finish with it, is a paperweight.
You're reading it from the perspective of someone who already has a good knowledge of programming in general, though. While I haven't read the Head First C# book I do have their Ajax book, and while I do not find it to be a good general reference it is great for my high school students to read. They have far less experience programming than I do and they pick up on these easier from the Head First book than they do from most.
Truck driving is not all it's cracked up to be, though. My friend recently quit his trucking job to go into IT. *Insert comment about the irony* Although you get to drive around the country it isn't like you actually get to do anything when you visit places. You just watch the scenery go by and continue to drive. It can also be very dangerous as trucks can be extremely difficult to handle, especially when the weather is bad. Although the pay can be good if you have done it for a while, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to get any type of loan if you have just started trucking because truckers are paid by the mile and the bank needs to have an idea of how much money you make in a year. This probably isn't pertinent in this case, but it is something to think about.
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My only gripe is not having sports access. This year missed NBA completely. :(
You could always buy a season ticket to watch your local college or D-League team. Yes, I know that's not for everybody, such as someone with a family or someone who follows multiple sports.
The only issue with this is that many of the professional leagues have blackout restrictions that prevent you from getting their service if you are in the team's local market.
I am sorry to say but the question is vague. When you talk of ideal, what do you mean?
Could these options help focus your mind to what you need?
Please be more specific and make up your mind. This is (I am sure you know), Slashdot.
A lab that facilitates learning is definitely the #1 requirement. I mainly teach web design and programming so exploring hardware isn't quite as important. I do have a "play" computer and several computer parts in my current room, though.
xkcd posters, of course.
Funny you brought that up since my current room is covered with XKCD comics. That will definitely be a part of my future room.
Start with the Infrastructure: wiring, power, desks, layout etc. Computers come and go, and even if you buy brand new computers, they will be gone in 5 years. Infrastructure will last, so make sure it is done RIGHT!!
Second, think about HOW you're going to teach "computers", and what that really means. You asked about "computers" and I'm thinking you don't know what you are teaching. Probably "Word", "Excel", and "Powerpoint", but if you want to do your students a favor, don't teach "Programs" or "Applications" teach what they do "writing", "spreadsheet", and "presentation" ... and make them use a variety of programs to accomplish the assignments.
Finally, make sure you have something like VISION in your lab.
I'm glad you pointed out the infrastructure. That is probably something I would have overlooked. I mainly teach web design and programming courses, including AP Computer Science.
I also tried out the Apple TV but ended up returning it for a Mac Mini, which is much more configurable. The Apple TV interface is beautiful, but the lack of streaming content and the sparse customization options made we reconsider it. Plex or Boxee are much better options.
I have to second the recommendation of Plex. I bought a Mac Mini and set it up with a RAID array that I already had. I'm still in the process of ripping all my DVDs using HandBrake for the Mac, but those that I have ripped play in Plex beautifully. It's also nice to have easy access to Hulu as well as other web video through the program. It still has a few quirks, but nothing deal-breaking. Since it is based off of XBMC there are already a number of skins available for it as well as add-ons. The Apple Remote works well, but it will even work with nicer programmable remotes.
Granted, in this case I don't know the language C#, but in general I never really understood the Head First series, unless you really like printed introductions to languages. It would just make more sense to use free Internet resources to take your first steps in C#, and then get O'Reilly's e.g. C# 3.0 in a Nutshell as a good desk reference. Tech books are expensive, so it just doesn't make sense to invest in a primer that, after you finish with it, is a paperweight.
You're reading it from the perspective of someone who already has a good knowledge of programming in general, though. While I haven't read the Head First C# book I do have their Ajax book, and while I do not find it to be a good general reference it is great for my high school students to read. They have far less experience programming than I do and they pick up on these easier from the Head First book than they do from most.
Truck driving is not all it's cracked up to be, though. My friend recently quit his trucking job to go into IT. *Insert comment about the irony* Although you get to drive around the country it isn't like you actually get to do anything when you visit places. You just watch the scenery go by and continue to drive. It can also be very dangerous as trucks can be extremely difficult to handle, especially when the weather is bad. Although the pay can be good if you have done it for a while, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to get any type of loan if you have just started trucking because truckers are paid by the mile and the bank needs to have an idea of how much money you make in a year. This probably isn't pertinent in this case, but it is something to think about.