I was just told by my teacher that because of a grant our school was givin that we are going to have 5000$ dollars to spend on equipment on our class. Our only requirments are that any equipment we get has to last 5 years, and it can't be computers.
That said it is a Computer systems class. The two classes this is for are, Computer Systems: Essentials in PC Hardware, Essential Networking. We have enough stocked in our network lab because we get donated alot of stuff and just spent alot at the end of last year. We have good computers to do our basic work on, and our actual components lab is old and not so great.
I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of what would be good to get for either our labs or just in general for the type of courses that it's for. My teacher was thinking that we might buy some computer parts and make a few better and newer computers for the components lab but after that we have no ideas.
Posted by Xann. (Member # 11482) on :
Sorry for the accidental double thread, i deleted the other one.
Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :
Since I have no idea what you need:
Anti-static flooring and furniture.
KVM switches.
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
Is there any software or online subscriptions that would be worthwhile to have? Purchase a site for the class and pay someone to put together a good website?
Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :
Would a high capacity DVD duplicator raise too many eyebrows?
Posted by Xann. (Member # 11482) on :
quote:Originally posted by scifibum: Since I have no idea what you need:
We have no ides what we need either, thats why i asked for suggestions.
Although anti-static flooring is a good idea for our lab.
Oh, and Jhai, we only use an online based text from cisco so were set on most of that type of thing.
Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
Cisco switches, cabling, umm....an overhead projector and or SmartBoard?
Posted by Xann. (Member # 11482) on :
quote:Originally posted by lem: Cisco switches, cabling, umm....an overhead projector and or SmartBoard?
..... We got those Were not bad off.
Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
You could give the money to me. It seems you have everything you need.
Why not go for beautification? I like custom made cabinets to fit your needs or new desks and comfy chairs.
Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :
My first thought when I saw the thread title was to post this.
Posted by Armoth (Member # 4752) on :
Smart board? Those things are totally cool
Posted by MightyCow (Member # 9253) on :
Coincidentally, I charge exactly $4900 to consult professionally on this sort of thing. You can hire me, and I will tell you, in a professional capacity, how to best spend the remaining $100.
Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :
I'll do it for only $4899.
Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :
Shoot, I'll do it for $1500. Posted by Darth_Mauve (Member # 4709) on :
Smart Board is a good idea but it sounds that you already have that.
How about some high end ergonomic chairs, at least for the teacher and assistants.
Laser Pointers...everyone loves laser pointers
I assume you already have a WiFi setup.
That 3d HOlo unit used by CNN during the elections--that way you could teach from home.
Posted by Xann. (Member # 11482) on :
quote:Originally posted by Darth_Mauve: Smart Board is a good idea but it sounds that you already have that.
How about some high end ergonomic chairs, at least for the teacher and assistants.
Laser Pointers...everyone loves laser pointers
I assume you already have a WiFi setup.
That 3d HOlo unit used by CNN during the elections--that way you could teach from home.
I do love laser pointers... and we would just waste all our time pretending to be princess leia.
Posted by Launchywiggin (Member # 9116) on :
If your instructor thinks it's ok to "buy new computer parts" to upgrade, why not buy new computer parts that happen to assemble into brand new high-end PCs. Gives the PC Essentials class their first project.
Posted by Armoth (Member # 4752) on :
This sounds like the past episode of the office.
A brand new copier? Or new chairs?
Which will it be?
Posted by Xann. (Member # 11482) on :
It's not that it's okay to "buy new computer parts", just that the e-mail said, " equipment that is not computers".
I'm not sure yet if thats okay.
Posted by ambyr (Member # 7616) on :
Perhaps this is too idealistic of me, but if you really don't have any idea of what you might -need- the money for, why not decline the grant? There are plenty of people in education who do need the money to which it could go instead.
Posted by Xann. (Member # 11482) on :
Well my school already accepted the grant, its 27000$ to the school. I just learned that our class has to buy only one item, that is 5000$ or more.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
How are you networked? A few wireless routers to spread across campus could make you popular.
Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
How about a really nice vending machine that can keep the students happy and may prove to be a good financial investment?
Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :
"...our class has to buy only one item, that is $5000 or more."
The nVIDIA Tesla 4Teraflop superPC is only $6574, though there are upgrades which'll take it past 10grand.
Posted by theamazeeaz (Member # 6970) on :
One item? Darn. I was going to suggest high end hole punches for printouts of student work.
Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
quote:Originally posted by aspectre: The nVIDIA Tesla 4Teraflop superPC is only $6574, though there are upgrades which'll take it past 10grand.
I had to laugh that the base model only comes with a 160G hard drive. You'd think it'd come with at least a terabyte....
Posted by Xann. (Member # 11482) on :
I suggested that we get a school bus for any trips from our school since public buses are used to get to and from our school. My teacher decided that it would probably be the best use of the money.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
You can buy a schoolbus for $5K? Man, that's going to be my next ride.
Posted by Glenn Arnold (Member # 3192) on :
quote:Smart board? Those things are totally cool
I used to have a smartboard when I was a teacher. Now where I go to meetings there is a smartboard against one wall, where ph.Ds write on it with whiteboard pens.
Posted by Tstorm (Member # 1871) on :
quote:You can buy a schoolbus for $5K? Man, that's going to be my next ride.
That already is one of my friend's rides. I forget how much he paid, but it wasn't a lot. He bought it, did some minor repairs and a lot of interior decorating, gave it a snazzy paint job, and uses it as lodging. He travels a bit, and his various jobs make it a good investment for him.
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