Editing Computer lab (section)

{{Short description|Facility for public access to desktop computers or laptops}}
[[File:Contemporary Computer Lab.jpg|thumb|Computer lab on [[State University of New York at Purchase|SUNY Purchase]] campus]]
A '''computer lab''' is a space where [[computer]] services are provided to a defined community. These are typically public [[libraries]] and [[academic institution]]s.<ref name="ethics">{{cite journal|last1=McCampbell|first1=Atefeh S|last2=Liedlich|first2=Fred|title=Ethics and the Student Computer Lab|journal=Journal of Business Ethics|volume=15|issue=8|pages=897–900|jstor=25072815|year=1996|doi=10.1007/BF00381857|s2cid=144690029 }}</ref> Generally, users must follow a certain [[acceptable use policy|user policy]] to retain access to the computers. This usually consists of rules such as no [[computer crime|illegal]] activity during use or attempts to circumvent any [[information security|security]] or [[content-control software]] while using the computers.<ref name="ethics" /> 

Computer labs are often subject to time limits in order to allow more people access to use the lab. It is also common for personal login credentials to be required for access.<ref name="ethics" /> This allows institutions to [[computer surveillance|track the user's activities]] for any possible fraudulent use. The computers in computer labs are typically equipped with [[Internet access]], [[image scanner|scanners]], and [[printer (computing)|printers]] and are typically arranged in rows. This is to give the [[workstation]] a similar view to facilitate [[lecturing]] or [[presentation]]s,<ref name="uses">{{cite web|last1=van den Blink|first1=Claire C|title=Uses of Labs and Learning Spaces|url=http://er.educause.edu/articles/2009/3/uses-of-labs-and-learning-spaces|website=Educause Review|access-date=4 November 2015}}</ref> and also to facilitate small [[group work]].<ref name="myth">{{cite web|last1=Hawkins|first1=Brian|last2=Oblinger|first2=Diana G|title=The Myth about the Need for Public Computer Labs|url=http://er.educause.edu/articles/2007/8/the-myth-about-the-need-for-public-computer-labs|website=Educause Review|access-date=4 November 2015}}</ref> 

For some academic institutions, student [[laptop]]s or laptop carts<ref name="laptopCarts" /> take place of dedicated computer labs. However, computer labs still have a place in applications requiring special software or hardware which are not easily accessible in personal computers.<ref name="myth" />