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

Ubiquitous Computing Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaerat Rensselaer

Sharon RoySharon Roy

Director, Academic & Research ComputingDirector, Academic & Research Computing

March 7, 2005March 7, 2005

March 7, 2005 Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer 2

Copyright Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2005.

This work is the intellectual property of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Permission is granted for this information to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the author. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission of the author.


Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer Ubiquitous Computing at Rensselaer Mandatory mobile computing requirement for all Mandatory mobile computing requirement for all

entering students since the Fall of 1999entering students since the Fall of 1999– Implementation of the programImplementation of the program– Reduction in desktop classrooms on the campusReduction in desktop classrooms on the campus– Support necessary for this type of programSupport necessary for this type of program– Reaction of students, faculty, and staffReaction of students, faculty, and staff– Continuing partnership with IBMContinuing partnership with IBM– Perceived successes and things that we are working to Perceived successes and things that we are working to

improveimprove

Background and ImplementationBackground and Implementation


DotCIO Vision and MissionDotCIO Vision and Mission

Vision: Vision: To provide a leading edge To provide a leading edge integratedintegrated information environment for the Rensselaer information environment for the Rensselaer community.community.

Mission: Mission: The Division of the Chief Information The Division of the Chief Information Officer providesOfficer provides enablingenabling information strategies, information strategies, services, and technology to the diverse Rensselaer services, and technology to the diverse Rensselaer community.community.

WeWe collaboratecollaborate with campus constituents to find with campus constituents to find solutions for changing educational, research, solutions for changing educational, research, communications and business needs.communications and business needs.


Division of the Chief Information Officer (DotCIO)Division of the Chief Information Officer (DotCIO)

CIO

ACADEMIC & RESEARCHCOMPUTING

IT OPERATIONS

NETWORKING &TELECOMMUNICATIONS

INTEGRATED ADMINISTRATIVECOMPUTING SOLUTIONS

COMMUNICATION & COLLABORATION

RESEARCH LIBRARIES

STRATEGIC INFORMATION POLICY & PLANNING


Academic & Research ComputingAcademic & Research Computing

Consulting and Research ComputingConsulting and Research ComputingMark MillerMark Miller

Rensselaer Campus Computer StoreRensselaer Campus Computer StoreRensselaer Mobile ComputingRensselaer Mobile Computing

Myra WilliamsMyra Williams

Educational TechnologyEducational TechnologyEd SeegerEd Seeger

Help DeskHelp DeskPat ValiquettePat Valiquette

Rensselaer Computer RepairRensselaer Computer RepairCampus Site LicensingCampus Site Licensing

Jeff BurdylJeff Burdyl


Mobile ComputingMobile Computing Provide leadership in the use of technology in educationProvide leadership in the use of technology in education Provide integrated information infrastructure portfolioProvide integrated information infrastructure portfolio

Outputs:Outputs:– Continuation of mobile computing programContinuation of mobile computing program

• Including delivery and support of laptopsIncluding delivery and support of laptops Outcomes:Outcomes:

– Integrated learning environmentIntegrated learning environment– Standardized personal computing platformStandardized personal computing platform

Metrics/Benchmarks: Metrics/Benchmarks: – Student Satisfaction Student Satisfaction

• 71% of respondents agreed with the statement, “Having a laptop computer has 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 significantly enhanced my ability to take control of and assume responsibility for my own learning.” learning.”

• 79% agreed with the statement, “Having a laptop computer has significantly enhanced 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.”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 SatisfactionFaculty 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 laptops 79% gave assignments requiring the use of laptops

– National RecognitionNational Recognition• 15 faculty have given presentations to their colleagues on the use of laptops for teaching 15 faculty have given presentations to their colleagues on the use of laptops for teaching

and learning. and learning. • Presentations at EDUCAUSE, SIGUCCS. Presentations at EDUCAUSE, SIGUCCS. • One of 14 schools included in One of 14 schools included in Ubiquitous ComputingUbiquitous Computing, by David G. Brown, 2003. , by David G. Brown, 2003.

– Rensselaer Computer Repair (RCR)Rensselaer Computer Repair (RCR)• customer satisfaction surveys customer satisfaction surveys


Interactive LearningInteractive Learning Fewer lecturesFewer lectures More student participationMore student participation Faculty as coachFaculty as coach Students work in teamsStudents work in teams Many variationsMany variations Wide/deep adoption of technology since 1990Wide/deep adoption of technology since 1990 Studio ClassroomsStudio Classrooms

– Designed to facilitate interactionDesigned to facilitate interaction– Technology-rich environmentTechnology-rich environment


Laptop Requirement HistoryLaptop Requirement History 1995-1997 1995-1997

– 3-year voluntary pilot program3-year voluntary pilot program 1998 1998

– Highly recommended - IBM ThinkPad 600Highly recommended - IBM ThinkPad 600 1999 1999

– Required of all freshmen – IBM ThinkPad Required of all freshmen – IBM ThinkPad 600E600E

2000 2000 – Second year of requirement – IBM ThinkPad Second year of requirement – IBM ThinkPad

T20T20 2001 2001

– First refresh (lease systems back) – IBM First refresh (lease systems back) – IBM ThinkPad T22ThinkPad T22

2002, 2003, 2004 2002, 2003, 2004 – Full deployment – IBM ThinkPad T30, T40, Full deployment – IBM ThinkPad T30, T40,

T42T42

Desktops and Mobile ComputingDesktops and Mobile Computing


Some StatsSome Stats 20032003

– Adoption percentage (95%+)Adoption percentage (95%+)• Freshmen (1285 responses)Freshmen (1285 responses)

• More than 10:1 purchase to lease option More than 10:1 purchase to lease option

• Upperclass and transfer students (552 responses)Upperclass and transfer students (552 responses) Classrooms Seats Classrooms Seats

– 19981998• Desktops – ~600Desktops – ~600• Laptops – ~170Laptops – ~170

– 20042004

• Desktops seats – 292Desktops seats – 292• Laptop seats – 1624Laptop seats – 1624• Podia desktops – 28 Podia desktops – 28

Issues Issues – Serial/USB, Floppy/CD/DVD, wirelessSerial/USB, Floppy/CD/DVD, wireless

SupportSupport


Attending infrastructure and activitiesAttending infrastructure and activities NetworkNetwork SW site licensingSW site licensing Campus Computer StoreCampus Computer Store Computer repairComputer repair Electronic reservesElectronic reserves WebCT WebCT Student Information SystemStudent Information System Configuration and training sessionsConfiguration and training sessions Skills assessment and short coursesSkills assessment and short courses


Accessing RPInfo and SISAccessing RPInfo and SIShttp://www.rpi.edu/rpinfo/http://www.rpi.edu/rpinfo/


Student Information SystemStudent Information System


Student Menu Student Menu

Reaction of Reaction of Faculty, Students and StaffFaculty, Students and Staff


How do students use their laptops?How do students use their laptops? CoursesCourses ResearchResearch CommunicationCommunication Collaboration Collaboration RecreationRecreation Portability makes it all easierPortability makes it all easier


First-year courses using laptopsFirst-year courses using laptops MathMath PhysicsPhysics Introduction to Engineering AnalysisIntroduction to Engineering Analysis Engineering Graphics and CAD Engineering Graphics and CAD Computer ScienceComputer Science Chemistry and Chemistry of MaterialsChemistry and Chemistry of Materials Humanities and Social Sciences Humanities and Social Sciences ArchitectureArchitecture BiologyBiology


Faculty Mobile ComputingFaculty Mobile Computing Putting laptops in the hands of facultyPutting laptops in the hands of faculty Sponsored by Provost’s OfficeSponsored by Provost’s Office Launched with matching funds from department Launched with matching funds from department

or schoolor school Priority to those teaching or preparing to teach Priority to those teaching or preparing to teach

laptop courseslaptop courses New emphasis on pedagogy and researchNew emphasis on pedagogy and research Faculty workshopsFaculty workshops


Learning from peersLearning from peers Early adopters not always good role modelsEarly adopters not always good role models Departmental peer use important source of Departmental peer use important source of

knowledgeknowledge Later adopters need more supportLater adopters need more support Technology as a time sinkTechnology as a time sink Ease of use, WebCT templates, adaptabilityEase of use, WebCT templates, adaptability


The “McLaughlin” QuestionsThe “McLaughlin” Questions How have instructors changed or improved their How have instructors changed or improved their

course goals by involving laptops in instruction?course goals by involving laptops in instruction? How have instructors assessed the value of using How have instructors assessed the value of using

laptops in their courses? laptops in their courses? How have instructors increased their efficiency?How have instructors increased their efficiency? What do the students think?What do the students think? What time is given up to the use of laptops? What time is given up to the use of laptops? What can we learn from outside sources? What can we learn from outside sources? What have other schools done? What have other schools done?


Some ObservationsSome Observations

Next Five YearsNext Five Years


What Next?What Next? Continue to offer high-end ubiquitous mobile Continue to offer high-end ubiquitous mobile

computing program to the universitycomputing program to the university SurveysSurveys

– FacultyFaculty– StudentStudent

Return to the McLaughlin QuestionsReturn to the McLaughlin Questions– More research is needed, but we need to make sure More research is needed, but we need to make sure

we are asking the right questions we are asking the right questions Additional integration and mobilityAdditional integration and mobility

– 802.11x, 802.22, Cell, Bluetooth, Softphone, etc.802.11x, 802.22, Cell, Bluetooth, Softphone, etc. Additional functionalityAdditional functionality

– LinuxLinux


Additional InformationAdditional Information Our support of WebCTOur support of WebCT

– www.rpi.edu/web/webct/www.rpi.edu/web/webct/ Mobile Computing at RensselaerMobile Computing at Rensselaer

– www.rpi.edu/dept/arc/siguccs/mobilecomputing.pptwww.rpi.edu/dept/arc/siguccs/mobilecomputing.ppt

– www.rpi.edu/laptops/www.rpi.edu/laptops/ Interactive Learning, Student SurveyInteractive Learning, Student Survey

– http://www.ciue.rpi.edu/laptopSurvey.htmlhttp://www.ciue.rpi.edu/laptopSurvey.html

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