January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference Faculty Mobile Computing at Rensselaer Sharon Roy Director, Academic Computing Services

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference Student Laptop Requirement 3-year voluntary pilot program 1998 highly recommended 1999 required of all freshmen 2000 second year of requirement 2001 first refresh 2002 full deployment

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference Student Mobile Computing Laptops required for freshmen and sophomores IBM ThinkPad T20 Configuration and training sessions Skills assessment and short courses

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference Software Included Windows 98 Microsoft Office Pro 2000 Visual C++ Maple 6 (symbolic algebra program) SolidWorks (a CAD package) MapInfo Pro National Instruments LabView Internet Explorer/Netscape Communicator Norton Anti-virus software

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference How do students use their laptops? Courses Research Communication Collaboration Recreation Portability makes it all easier.

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference First-year courses using laptops Math Physics Introduction to Engineering Analysis Engineering Graphics and CAD Computer Science Chemistry and Chemistry of Materials Humanities and Social Sciences Architecture

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference From Pilot to Requirement designated sections Math I and II Physics I and II Introduction to Engineering Analysis Students and faculty volunteered for the program

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference Fall 1999 Challenges All large-enrollment freshman courses Courses with some sophomores and juniors Faculty preparation Short time from decision to delivery

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference Fall 2000 Challenges Adapting sophomore courses Reaching skeptical faculty Growing software needs

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference Faculty Mobile Computing Putting laptops in the hands of faculty Sponsored by Provost’s Office Matching funds from department or school Priority to those teaching or preparing to teach laptop courses

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference Faculty Workshop Faculty sharing ideas (and doubts!) Learning from early adopters

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference Why laptops? Report from Laptop Implementation Team Keynote from David Brown Examples from the pilot program

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference Learning from peers Early adopters not always good role models Departmental peer use important source of knowledge Later adopters need more support Technology as a time sink Ease of use, templates, adaptability

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference Adopting Innovation Innovation adoption theory and research Knutel studied technology adoption as a process (1998 dissertation at U.Mich.) –Awareness –Cognitive evaluation (conceptionalization, evaluation, information seeking, attitutude formation) –Persuasion and Decision –Implementation –Confirmation

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference Rensselaer Advantages Computer Calculus Computing Across the Curriculum Engineering Graphics and CAD Wide and deep adoption of technology since 1990

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference Reports from the Classroom Old and Evolving Paradigms in Math, H. McLaughlin Studio Classes in Architecture, M.Mistur Studios and Laptops in Physics, P. Casabella Laptops and Studio IEA, J. Brunski

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference The McLaughlin Questions 1.How have instructors changed or improved their course goals by involving laptops in instruction? 2.How have instructors assessed the value of using laptops in their courses? 3.How have instructors increased their efficiency? 4.What do the students think? 5.What time is given up to the use of laptops? 6.What have other schools done? 7.What can we learn from outside sources?

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference Breakout Groups Chem-Materials IEA IT Comp Sci Math EMAC H&SS Management Physics Architecture

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference Goal: Formulate Fall Plans Class visits Demos by IDEA consultants Consult with ACS staff Software selection WebCT Discussion among departmental colleagues Report to group on Day 2

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference Follow-up Activities Departmental initiatives Faculty release time and summer salaries Hands-on training for new laptop users

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference Ongoing Support WebCT templates Workshops User group Seminar series

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference WebCT support with first steps Give easy access to syllabus and assignments Provide access to scholarly resources. –on-line reserves and other library resources –access to data on student’s time Promote self directed learning. Enable students to be involved (engaged) with the course content. Create opportunities for students to be knowledge builders.

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference Advantages of the Web Communication 24 hour Access to Resources Exploring - knowledge seeking Critical thinking - evaluation Build resources - knowledge building Collaborative learning Enable the instructor to shift roles from “sage” to “mentor/tutor”

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference Advanced Features Progress Tracking Student Management Timed, On-Line, Automatically Graded Quizzes Access Control Course Backup and Transfer Course Welcome Page Tip of the Day Page Design Tools

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference Evaluation Faculty survey Student survey Return to the McLaughlin Questions More needed, but we need to make sure we are asking the right questions

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference More Information About our support of WebCT About Mobile Computing at Rensselaer

January 4, 2001 Ubiquitous Computing Conference Questions?