Set Up
The seating arrangement in the computer lab can make it easier or harder to manage your class. Favorable seating arrangements for different grade levels include:

• Grades K-2: Arrange students in rows, if possible. Peer contact should be limited, and you should be able to see every student.
• Grades 3-6: Encourage collaboration with a more flexible room arrangement. Assign partners, or allow students to sit with a friend. (Be ready to change the seating of students who are off task.)
• Grades 7-12: Allow very informal seating arrangements and encourage group work. Consider grouping four students at each computer and having them work together to solve complex problems or accomplish tasks.

Maintenance
Get students involved in classroom management too. Make your most tech-savvy students "technical managers," responsible for troubleshooting during class time. Those students can help with such tasks as

• fixing paper jams and loading extra paper into printers;
• guiding fellow students through specific tech tasks;
• helping download software; or
• other advanced tasks you feel they're up to.

Make less tech-savvy students "end-of-class managers." (Students love the power and prestige of this position.) End-of-class managers make sure each computer area is clean and all programs are closed at the end of class. They check each student's workstation to make sure

• the tracking ball, if any, is in the mouse;
• the mouse is on the mouse pad and the mouse pad is straight;
• all papers, pencils, and other items are put away or thrown away;
• the keyboard is straight and in the proper position;
• software programs are shut down; and
• nothing new has been added to the desktop.

Next: Preventing and dealing with problems.