Activity: Hardware Allocation Arranging hardware within the school can be a puzzle. As microcomputers made their first appearance in schools, it was common to find the computers grouped together in a lab setting. Later installations encouraged at least five workstations in each classroom. Any placement has advantages and disadvantages that must be weighed. The "Hardware Allocation" activity in section six of the Principal Connections CD-ROM presents advantages and disadvantages of placing a single computer workstation in a variety of settings—a classroom, lab, or media center. Review the advantages and disadvantages of each. Getting There Insert and begin Principal Connections. From the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen, select the sixth icon on the left, the Mouse icon. This will take you to the section titled "Tools of the Trade." Select the mouse pad on the desk. Post to the discussion area your reflections to the following concerns. What choice would you make if given a single workstation? Where would it find optimal use? What guidance does your technology plan provide for making this decision? How would your decision have differed five years ago? What do you imagine might affect it five years from now? Join the class discussion on this topic. Click the "Discussion" button on the top menu bar to view your response and the responses from other participants to this activity.