My only gripe is not having sports access. This year missed NBA completely.
You could always buy a season ticket to watch your local college or D-League team. Yes, I know that's not for everybody, such as someone with a family or someone who follows multiple sports.
The only issue with this is that many of the professional leagues have blackout restrictions that prevent you from getting their service if you are in the team's local market.
I am sorry to say but the question is vague. When you talk of ideal, what do you mean?
Could these options help focus your mind to what you need?
Please be more specific and make up your mind. This is (I am sure you know), Slashdot.
A lab that facilitates learning is definitely the #1 requirement. I mainly teach web design and programming so exploring hardware isn't quite as important. I do have a "play" computer and several computer parts in my current room, though.
xkcd posters, of course.
Funny you brought that up since my current room is covered with XKCD comics. That will definitely be a part of my future room.
Start with the Infrastructure: wiring, power, desks, layout etc. Computers come and go, and even if you buy brand new computers, they will be gone in 5 years. Infrastructure will last, so make sure it is done RIGHT!!
Second, think about HOW you're going to teach "computers", and what that really means. You asked about "computers" and I'm thinking you don't know what you are teaching. Probably "Word", "Excel", and "Powerpoint", but if you want to do your students a favor, don't teach "Programs" or "Applications" teach what they do "writing", "spreadsheet", and "presentation"
Finally, make sure you have something like VISION in your lab.
I'm glad you pointed out the infrastructure. That is probably something I would have overlooked. I mainly teach web design and programming courses, including AP Computer Science.
Granted, in this case I don't know the language C#, but in general I never really understood the Head First series, unless you really like printed introductions to languages. It would just make more sense to use free Internet resources to take your first steps in C#, and then get O'Reilly's e.g. C# 3.0 in a Nutshell as a good desk reference. Tech books are expensive, so it just doesn't make sense to invest in a primer that, after you finish with it, is a paperweight.
You're reading it from the perspective of someone who already has a good knowledge of programming in general, though. While I haven't read the Head First C# book I do have their Ajax book, and while I do not find it to be a good general reference it is great for my high school students to read. They have far less experience programming than I do and they pick up on these easier from the Head First book than they do from most.
UNIX was not designed to stop you from doing stupid things, because that would also stop you from doing clever things. -- Doug Gwyn
