This extension provides static workspaces. I seem to remember that it is slightly unstable, but it may work for you. The comments explain how you can configure the number. https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/12/static-workspaces/

You can middle click to open a new instance of a program.

You can open a new terminal by middle clicking or by pressing ctrl-leftclick.

The following CPU-monitor is quite good https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/120/system-monitor/

Regarding fixed layout I would like to have an extension that allowed me to press a button, and have gnome-shell rearrange all the windows for me.

I personally never liked the upper left corner, so I use the axe menu. My only problem is that the axe menu does not allow me to arrange desktops. (I miss the old gnome 2 desktop applet) https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/327/axe-menu/

But my biggest problem is that gnome-shell is unstable. These days it freezes daily, so I have to open a terminal and write "gnome-shell --display=:0 --replace &". In the past I have had problems with extensions that suddenly caused everything to freeze after an update, but this time I cannot guess what is wrong.

I use "alt ctrl up" and "alt ctrl down" and that works well.

You can also do "shift alt ctrl up" to move the present window to a desktop above the present one.

But I miss a shortcut for splitting a desktop into two. The shortcut should create a new desktop just above the present one and move the active window to a newly created deskop.

The guy went to a restaurant that had a policy against recording.
He was told to leave, but he chose to stay and record.
He is angry that they tried to make him go.
His glasses may or may not be damaged.
Why didn't he just leave?

You can save a search term such as "tizen" or "warhammer" for later use. So instead of following a person you essentially follow a search term. That used to work fairly well.

I haven't had much success following people on Google+, because most posters cannot stick to one subject, so they end up polluting my stream with uninteresting posts.

You need to look at the consequences one at a time.

• If students use e-books they they don't forget their books.
• If the teacher distributes a pdf then the students don't throw it away.
• Many students cannot type fast enough to take notes on an ipad.
• You lose some students to Facebook, but at least the horizontal screen make it easy for the teacher to see what the student is doing.
• The students need access to a real computer if they need to work on a long report or essay in class.
• The students probably need access to a real computer if they need to work with spreadsheets.
• If you install a browser with flash then you can use interactive websites to add variation to the lessons.
   

I am a high school teacher so some of these points may not ne relevant to young children.