Furnishings
Long time ago the boards were black
And then the green ones came
None of these boards are wanted back
White ones are now the game
The problems with the chalk boards are
They cause a lot of dust
It’s dust that could computers mar
And make the lab go bust
In this rich techno century
All teachers must still write
White boards are no mere luxury
Can supplement the byte
The board into the plan too goes
If one must be acquired
And so the list of items grows
That’s for the lab required
Computers are quite intricate
A knock to them – don’t dare –
And since they are so delicate
Do handle them with care
They must rest on a solid base
Should be to bumps immune
If knocked – in an unstable place –
Their pieces will be strewn
One can’t use tables rickety
They’re just not firm enough
The learners are too fidgety
And sometimes very rough
Build robust table surfaces
And bolt them to the wall
Secure them with firm cornices
Bulwark against a brawl
They must be wide enough to keep
Both keyboard and a screen
For learner’s comfort – must be deep –
The surface smooth and clean
There is a standard work top spec
That can be used as base
But it would cause a total wreck
If not matched case by case
A standard spec’s true value is
To give a running start
But must be changed until one sees
It does fit really smart
A project plan must clearly state
Length depth as well as height
The specs must all details relate
To implement it right
Another point regarding care
– On what are they to sit –
One needs to specify the chair
That would be just the fit
An issue you must comprehend
There are such large class groups
If these cohorts to labs are sent
They will arrive in troupes
The luxury of one to one
One learner – one P C
Is only ever seldom done
To this superb degree
Some learners must computers share
It could be two or three
They can not all sit on one chair
Or on each other’s knee
Do not go just for fancy chairs
Look carefully at price
When learners have to work in pairs
Choose those that will suffice
Search for a chair that’s small enough
The learners must sit near
To look at screens for long is tough
Each word to them be clear
The best with chairs that one can do
Is buying small bar stools
At a good price they come to you
They’re just right for the schools
Stools are completely stackable
When they are not in use
With ease these ones are movable
Floor damage will reduce
Though roller feet may seem quite smart
Kids use them as a car
Before they with the lesson start
They do the carpet mar
Whatever chairs that one may take
They must be feasible
And cost effective – may not break –
For labs’ use workable
This topic experts have researched
Spent time on their attack
How should the skeleton be perched
Protect the learner’s back
A current way of thinking is
The problem’s not the chair
But frequently get up and ease
For muscles this way care
This issue may seem rather thin
To make a song and dance
But disregard may result in
A warped and crooked stance
The chairs must even be prescribed
When you prepare a plan
With great care they must be described
As detailed as you can
Design a system to detect
The faintest trace of smoke
Against all fire risks protect
A flame killer invoke
Plan for inferno vanquishers
– This may the budget strain –
The use of these extinguishers
Will help the risks contain
A fire expert do consult
– That one’s advice do grab –
It guarantees an end result
That will protect the lab
Take such advice when you’re in doubt
Water won’t always do
Some chemicals put fires out
But kill the P C too
As part of planning room layout
Take note of fire rules
These regulations do not flout
They make for safer schools
Poem Index
- I Why the rooster crows
- II The good old days
- III The gloom sets in
- IV The exodus
- V The first rays of light
- VI The light bearers
- VII Distribution of light
- VIII One size does not fit all
- IX Planning to let the light shine
- X Room structure
- XI Security
- XII Power and light
- XIII Furnishings
- XIV Airconditioning
- XV Focal point of light
- XVI Technology options
- XVII Educational software
- XVIII Cost of light
- XIX Sustainability
- XX Light at the end of the tunnel
- XXI The first shimmers of light
- XXII The e-plan
- XXIII LAN administration
- XXIV Facilitation
- XXV The launch
- XXVI The real work starts
- XXVII Light for the community
- XXVIII Light for the learners
[…] XIII Furnishings […]