How do I Set Up a Mac Computer Lab for K-5?

Setting up your Mac computer lab is easy work.

Mac computer labs offer students and teachers a fun learning platform perfect for K through 5 students. The operating system on a Mac computer allows children as young as 5 to skillfully navigate all the features computers have to offer. A lab setting offers a single teacher the ability to oversee an entire class of students who can be allowed to learn at their own pace. The setup process can be customized to fit a variety of budgets.

Things You'll Need

• Computers
• Printers
• Surge protectors
• Tables
• Chairs

Instructions

1. Create a budget for your computer lab.

2. Research what your computer needs will be, and count how many children will be in your class.

3. Decide if you want to use laptop Macbooks or standing iMacs. Macbooks are portable and take up less space, but with children 5 to 10 years of age that may create a dangerous scenario. The computers are expensive and will break if dropped.

4. Purchase your computers from Apple's education store. Teachers get a discount when buying for their classrooms. These discounts allow you to save money or buy more powerful computers at a lesser cost.

5. Set up two long rows of tables with space in between for children to sit on both sides. This arrangement is the easiest for you to oversee students.

6. Install surge protectors at every necessary outlet. If you have 20 computers, you should have five or more surge protectors.

7. Place your printers on a separate table close to your desk. Keeping the printers in a section of the room away from the computers will allow you to monitor the students printing activities. Paper, ink, and printers are costly and can ruin a budget if overused.

8. Install extra software if necessary. Open source software is free and some exist to mimic more expensive counterparts. One example is Open Office, which is an alternative to Microsoft Office.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are expect to hook up computers to the Internet, purchase a filtering system for your browser. Most browsers offer a parental control setting that forbids access to certain sites.

References

• Bright Hub: Mac computer labs