Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer Sharon Roy Director, Academic & Research Computing March 7, 2005

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March 7, 2005Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer3 Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer n Mandatory mobile computing requirement for all entering students since the Fall of 1999 –Implementation of the program –Reduction in desktop classrooms on the campus –Support necessary for this type of program –Reaction of students, faculty, and staff –Continuing partnership with IBM –Perceived successes and things that we are working to improve

Background and Implementation

March 7, 2005Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer5 DotCIO Vision and Mission Vision: To provide a leading edge integrated information environment for the Rensselaer community. Mission: The Division of the Chief Information Officer provides enabling information strategies, services, and technology to the diverse Rensselaer community. We collaborate with campus constituents to find solutions for changing educational, research, communications and business needs.

March 7, 2005Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer6 Division of the Chief Information Officer (DotCIO) CIO ACADEMIC & RESEARCH COMPUTING IT OPERATIONS NETWORKING & TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTEGRATED ADMINISTRATIVE COMPUTING SOLUTIONS COMMUNICATION & COLLABORATION RESEARCH LIBRARIES STRATEGIC INFORMATION POLICY & PLANNING

March 7, 2005Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer7 Academic & Research Computing n Consulting and Research Computing Mark Miller n Rensselaer Campus Computer Store Rensselaer Mobile Computing Myra Williams n Educational Technology Ed Seeger n Help Desk Pat Valiquette n Rensselaer Computer Repair Campus Site Licensing Jeff Burdyl

March 7, 2005Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer8 Mobile Computing  Provide leadership in the use of technology in education  Provide integrated information infrastructure portfolio n Outputs: –Continuation of mobile computing program Including delivery and support of laptopsIncluding delivery and support of laptops n Outcomes: –Integrated learning environment –Standardized personal computing platform n Metrics/Benchmarks: –Student Satisfaction 71% of respondents agreed with the statement, “Having a laptop computer has significantly enhanced my ability to take control of and assume responsibility for my own learning.”71% of respondents agreed with the statement, “Having a laptop computer has significantly enhanced my ability to take control of and assume responsibility for my own learning.” 79% agreed with the statement, “Having a laptop computer has significantly enhanced the acquisition of skills that I will need for the workplace and my eventual profession.”79% agreed with the statement, “Having a laptop computer has significantly enhanced the acquisition of skills that I will need for the workplace and my eventual profession.” Adoption rate – 96+% of incoming freshmanAdoption rate – 96+% of incoming freshman –Faculty Satisfaction 59% of respondents 48 require students to use laptops in class59% of respondents 48 require students to use laptops in class 79% gave assignments requiring the use of laptops79% gave assignments requiring the use of laptops –National Recognition 15 faculty have given presentations to their colleagues on the use of laptops for teaching and learning.15 faculty have given presentations to their colleagues on the use of laptops for teaching and learning. Presentations at EDUCAUSE, SIGUCCS.Presentations at EDUCAUSE, SIGUCCS. One of 14 schools included in Ubiquitous Computing, by David G. Brown, 2003.One of 14 schools included in Ubiquitous Computing, by David G. Brown, –Rensselaer Computer Repair (RCR) customer satisfaction surveyscustomer satisfaction surveys

March 7, 2005Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer9 Interactive Learning n Fewer lectures n More student participation n Faculty as coach n Students work in teams n Many variations n Wide/deep adoption of technology since 1990 n Studio Classrooms –Designed to facilitate interaction –Technology-rich environment

March 7, 2005Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer10 Laptop Requirement History n –3-year voluntary pilot program n 1998 –Highly recommended - IBM ThinkPad 600 n 1999 –Required of all freshmen – IBM ThinkPad 600E n 2000 –Second year of requirement – IBM ThinkPad T20 n 2001 –First refresh (lease systems back) – IBM ThinkPad T22 n 2002, 2003, 2004 –Full deployment – IBM ThinkPad T30, T40, T42

Desktops and Mobile Computing

March 7, 2005Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer12 Some Stats n 2003 –Adoption percentage (95%+) Freshmen (1285 responses)Freshmen (1285 responses) More than 10:1 purchase to lease optionMore than 10:1 purchase to lease option Upperclass and transfer students (552 responses)Upperclass and transfer students (552 responses) n Classrooms Seats –1998 Desktops – ~600Desktops – ~600 Laptops – ~170Laptops – ~170 –2004 Desktops seats – 292Desktops seats – 292 Laptop seats – 1624Laptop seats – 1624 Podia desktops – 28Podia desktops – 28 n Issues –Serial/USB, Floppy/CD/DVD, wireless

Support

March 7, 2005Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer14 Attending infrastructure and activities n Network n SW site licensing n Campus Computer Store n Computer repair n Electronic reserves n WebCT n Student Information System n Configuration and training sessions n Skills assessment and short courses

March 7, 2005Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer15 Accessing RPInfo and SIS

March 7, 2005Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer16 Student Information System

March 7, 2005Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer17 Student Menu

Reaction of Faculty, Students and Staff

March 7, 2005Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer19 How do students use their laptops? n Courses n Research n Communication n Collaboration n Recreation n Portability makes it all easier

March 7, 2005Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer20 First-year courses using laptops n Math n Physics n Introduction to Engineering Analysis n Engineering Graphics and CAD n Computer Science n Chemistry and Chemistry of Materials n Humanities and Social Sciences n Architecture n Biology

March 7, 2005Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer21 Faculty Mobile Computing n Putting laptops in the hands of faculty n Sponsored by Provost’s Office n Launched with matching funds from department or school n Priority to those teaching or preparing to teach laptop courses n New emphasis on pedagogy and research n Faculty workshops

March 7, 2005Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer22 Learning from peers n Early adopters not always good role models n Departmental peer use important source of knowledge n Later adopters need more support n Technology as a time sink n Ease of use, WebCT templates, adaptability

March 7, 2005Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer23 The “McLaughlin” Questions n How have instructors changed or improved their course goals by involving laptops in instruction? n How have instructors assessed the value of using laptops in their courses? n How have instructors increased their efficiency? n What do the students think? n What time is given up to the use of laptops? n What can we learn from outside sources? n What have other schools done?

March 7, 2005Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer24 Some Observations

Next Five Years

March 7, 2005Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer26 What Next? n Continue to offer high-end ubiquitous mobile computing program to the university n Surveys –Faculty –Student n Return to the McLaughlin Questions –More research is needed, but we need to make sure we are asking the right questions n Additional integration and mobility –802.11x, , Cell, Bluetooth, Softphone, etc. n Additional functionality –Linux

March 7, 2005Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer27 Additional Information n Our support of WebCT – n Mobile Computing at Rensselaer – – n Interactive Learning, Student Survey –