#14 "Slip-slidin' Away..."

You have been given an inordinate amount of time in the computer lab to research your topic and begin your paper.  Is this structure worthwhile?  Would you rather be given the framework and then go work independently (ie outside of school, at home, etc.)?  The "opportunity cost" of such time could possibly be another piece of literature, a more extensive poetry unit, or perhaps further grammar study.  What are the disadvantages to this setup, knowing that in college these types of projects will be solely independent?