Figure 1.--The early computer rooms were rather basic, as were the computers at the time. At first the computers did not even have hard drives. It was cutting edge at the time, but students today would be shocked by the early facilities.
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Figure 1.--The early computer rooms were rather basic, as were the computers at the time. At first the computers did not even have hard drives. It was cutting edge at the time, but students today would be shocked by the early facilities. |
The schools during the 1980s steadily expanded their compuuter facilities, making possible the increasing use of the computers at the schools. This of course varied substantially, depending on the size and financial position of the schools. The early computer rooms were rather basic, as were the computers at the time. At first the computers did not even have hard drives. It was cutting edge at the time, but students today would be shocked by the early facilities. Quite a few schools by the end of the 1980s had a well-equipped computer room where the children could take computer courses. Also we began to see computers in classrooms. Some schools set up computers where the children could use them during their free time, especially in the evening.
In December 1987 work started on converting one of our old changing rooms in the cellars into the computer room. By the end of February everything was just about ready. The room contains ten BBC Master computers linked via an Econet Filestore network, a printer and a double disc drive. Each computer has a colour monitor and a mouse. It took until April to rid the system of the major bugs or 'gremlins' as they are affectionately knon! Thus it was ot until the summer term that the room was working properly. The room was used in three ways: 1) As part of a lesson. 2) By Clubs. 3) On a booking system during free time. There were two clubs: A Computer Club for the fourth form and above, and a Logo Club for the fourth forms and below. During the term I also ran three short courses for parents; these were well attended and more courses are in the pipeline. There were two end-of-term competitions. Warwick Goodall won the Logo picture contest and Christopher Wheal won the prize for the best adventure gamer program. The six boys who deserve a special mention because of their fine efforts in looking after the room are: Stephen Butler, Robert Shove, Tim Hodgson, Charles Morton, Robert Clayton and Nick Kendall.
Malcomb Bassett, Fanfare (Mount House School), Autumn 1988
