• Not enough computers for every student.

• However, a 1:1 ration is also not beneficial as lesson plans on the computer (online learning) tend to isolate the student. Students don’t interact with others and are not encouraged to develop thinking, reasoning, discussion and presentation skills.

• US gov’t is aiming for a 5:1 ratio in all state schools.

• The best ratio seems to be 2 or 3 to 1

Design a spreadsheet to determine the student computer ratio in the past and predict the number of computers needed to meet certain  predicted ratios.

1.       Design a spreadsheet table to calculate the student:computer ratios for the senior school for the following situations. (7 marks for the calculations and 2 marks for using formulae effectively)

a. 2001/02 – 2 computer labs

b. 2002 - 2004 - 2 computer labs and library

c. 2004/05 – 2 computer labs, library and laptops for Year 11 IB ITGS and CS students (37)

d. 2005/06 - 2 computer labs, library and laptops for Year 11 and 12 ITGS and CS students (assume 30 more for year 11 next year)

e. How many computers are needed to meet the US government's target of 5:1?

f. How many computers will be needed to reach 3:1 ratio?

g.  How many computers will be needed to reach 1:1 ratio?

      Assume that there are 500 students in the senior school.

       2.    Considering the cost of adding new computers and computer labs to the school and comparing that to the cost of having parents purchase a laptop for students in some senior school years, which option would you recommend to the school board so that ABC can attain a 3:1 student computer ratio. Provide a convincing argument to persuade the school board of your conclusion. (5 marks)

   Total marks = 14 marks