Computer science laboratory

Computer Science laboratory

 Meaning of Computer Science laboratory

           * A computer lab is a space which provides computer services to a defined community.

            * A space providing access to numerous computers, typically found in a school, library,    

              government institutions, or private company. Use of computer lab is free in public

              institutions and also in private institutions when one has authorization.

  Special features of Computer science laboratory:

    1. A computer lab comes in several configuration; the most common are the “U’ shape

               and the square models.

    2. Several large tables in the center of the room provide space for offline work.

    3. Projectors, smartboards, scanners, printers, software and a variety of peripherals like

          digital cameras and camcorders are usually stored in computer lab.

    4. Lot of wires required, all components have separate wires, whether it’s the mouse, the

           keyboard, the UPS, processor and even power sockets.

    5. Requires an entire room, permanently fixed and covers a lot of space with dedicated

         computer tables and chairs.

    6. Most labs becomes unusable due to tech issue, be it OS, keyboard, mouse, processor

        or UPS or even wiring.

    7. The design must be flexible for further improvement.

     8. It permit for enough supervision.

Management and Maintenance of records

 1. Laboratory note books are the means for keeping a permanent record of the details of an individual’s day-to-day research and development work in the laboratory or office.

2. All entries should be made in a legible and orderly manner using permanent ink, preferable black. Make entries clear and complete so that someone else could repeat the experiment if necessary.

3.Avoid erasures. If an error is made, cross it out and make the correction immediately thereafter.

4. Make sure the control page information is filled out prior to usage.

5. State the object and results of each experiment clearly and concisely.

6. Give a complete, factual and self-explanatory account of the progress of the work and the procedure followed.

7. All operating details and conditions should be reordered, indicating yields, conversion, etc.,

8. Describe and give quantities of all materials used. Explain all code numbers and abbreviations.

9. Negative and disparaging entries should be avoided.

10. Each day’s work should, whenever possible, be started on a separate page with lines drawn diagonally across the unused portion of the previous page.

Computer Lab Infrastructure

       Innovate of perish, invent and cherish" has become the most frequently chanted mantra in the corporate world today. Be dynamic or die, is clear and simple call of time. In the light of globalization of Indian economy and capitulation of Indian perfect management "Gurukul" for a learner and a future manager. Modern, well lit and airy classrooms with latest teaching aids like, LCD, OHP, T.V., State of art Library with several books and periodicals in various fields of management & information technology along with a reading hall. Well-equipped conference room, auditorium and LAB connected with a LAN. The entire campus and hostels are Wi-Fi enabled.

Rules & Regulations

·         All students should produce their identity cards and should enter the incoming and outgoing timing in the register.

·         Shoes shall be kept outside before entering the computer lab.

·         Students should not remain absent from the lectures and be working in the lab.

·         Students are not allowed to move attach, detach the hardware equipments- Printers, Cable, Mouse, Monitor etc.

·         Students are not allowed to do their personal work beside their regular practical.

·         Students are not allowed to load any external software without prior permission of the lab in charge.

·         Students should maintain silence in the lab.

·         No Floppy Disk, CD or Pen Drive shall be allowed in the computer lab directly. They should first get it checked and scanned whether it is free of viruses.

What are the main features of an accessible computer lab?

Designing a lab that is universally accessible begins with the physical environment of the facility. Considerations for making a computer lab facility more accessible include the following:

·         Make sure doorway openings are at least 32 inches wide and doorway thresholds are no higher than 1/2 inch.

·         Keep aisles wide and clear for wheelchair users. Have protruding objects removed or minimized for the safety of users who are visually impaired.

·         Make sure all levels of the lab are connected by a wheelchair-accessible route of travel.

·         For students with mobility impairments, make sure there are procedures in place for retrieving materials that may be inaccessible.

·         Make sure ramps and/or elevators are provided as an alternative to stairs. Elevators should have both auditory and visual signals for floors. Elevator buttons should be marked in large print and Braille or raised notation and easily reachable for wheelchair users.

·         Locate the lab near wheelchair-accessible restrooms with well-marked signs.

·         Service desks need to be wheelchair-accessible.

·         Provide ample, high-contrast, large-print directional signs throughout the lab. Mark equipment in the same fashion.

·         Provide study carrels, hearing protectors, or private study rooms for users who are easily distracted by noise and movement around them.

·         Provide at least one adjustable-height table with easily reachable controls for each type of computer.

·         Have wrist rests available to those who require extra wrist support while typing.

·         Keep document holders available to help users’ position documents for easy reading.

 Laboratory records:

          Laboratory records are the set of record that constitute of written statements of overall intentions and directions as defined or given by the organization or management.

There are dos and don’ts in best practices to follow for keeping lab records and note books;

Do:

Ø  Use a bound note book.

Ø  Write legibly

Ø  Write in ink.

Ø  Explain acronyms, trademarks, code or unfamiliar jargon.

Ø  Attach to your lab notebook loose notes. Emails, letters, graphs, figures and charts containing any part of conception of an idea or result of any project.

Ø  Title, sign and date each attachment, as well as each laboratory notebook page.

Ø  Record the objective of a project as well as the results obtained in  as much detail as possible.

Ø  Record thoughts, conversations, lab meeting discussions and future plans.

Ø  Write in the active voice.

Ø  Report completed projects in the past tense.

Ø  Give cross references to previous projects.

Ø  Use a table of content to provide cross references.

Ø  Keep your lab notebook under lock and key when you are not in the lab.

Ø  Track and save completed notebooks.

Do not:

Ø  Use binders, loose leaf or spiral notebooks.

Ø  Blot out or erase mistakes.

Ø  Modify the data.

Ø  Rip pages out.

Ø  Skip pages.

Ø  Leave a page blank.

Ø  Cover any writings in the notebook by affixing graphs and /or charts over them.

Ø  Write in the passive voice.

Ø  Use words such as “Obvious” or “abandoned” as they have tremendous legal significance.