I think some of them steal the rollers because they are frustrated. They are
not willing to put out the effort to learn how to use the computers, but they
are able to figure out how to remove the roller ball. Students with a 40%
absenteee rate get behind and stay behind. When they do show up they see the
others achieving, become frustrated and jealous, and begin looking for
something to get into, roller balls are an easy mark. With 28 students per
class it is very difficult to monitor. I've even set up a special table where
students can disassemble junk machinery from PC's to sewing machines to movie
projectors. We save all magnets, speakers, and motors to use on later projects.
Believe it or not they steal the wrenches and pliers when they can. I started
buying sets of lego logo robotic kits but I have to stay real simple because of
the 41 minute classes. Our school is a very unique atmosphere. Out of 700
seventh and eighth graders we average about 200 per day absent. It is difficult
to do long term projects do to the absence rate. The Dacta Lego Logo robot kits
are great but expensive and parts are hard to replace. If anybody out ther know
a cheap source of robot kits please let me know.
----
Mike Maveal
mmaveal@foxberry.net
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