Wireless Internet Appliances (or webPads) for Students Jeff McDonell Director Information Technology Services University of Southern Queensland

This talk is in Two Parts 1.An overview of USQ’s webSlate project 2.A short summary of a white paper ‘webPads’ – for the EDUCAUSE Evolving Technologies Committee - to be presented at a panel session at the Indianapolis EDUCAUSE 2001 Conference in October

USQ’s webSlate Project  ‘Internet Everywhere’ is the buzz word  We believe our students need access to up-to-date information when, where and how they want it!  A strong driver of the e-economy is communication between people and with corporate information

Four Key Development Areas 1.Mobile devices that allow ubiquitous access 2.A telecommunications environment to enable ‘Internet Everywhere’ access 3.Application servers that provide back- end functionality, data storage and backup/archiving 4.Customisable web-based databases which are self-serve by staff & students

Why is it Important?  Traditionally universities have made students come to them and take the information provided  Times have changed!  A driver of the e-economy is shifting the cost of the transaction to the customer  Customer convenience is providing self- service web access through the Internet to the campus, office, home or public Internet kiosk

Why is it Important?  The organization will need powerful and flexible web facilities  With students owning laptops or webSlates, then the demand on campus computer labs will be reduced  But more importantly - the students will have much more flexibility in their studies and their learning  Plus improved personal communications with both lecturers and fellow students

USQ’s webSlate Project  USQ is proposing to develop a state-of- the-art campus, illustrating how we believe a university, or a large corporation, can enable learning in an ‘Internet Everywhere’ environment  Important in achieving this vision is to work with key strategic partners  Creating an ‘Internet Everywhere’ environment requires development and specialised skills in four key areas…

Four Key Areas

webSlate device  From a student-centric viewpoint, we start with the ubiquitous web device…

1. Internet Appliance/Mobility  A single-purpose, highly portable web browser  Equipped with wireless LAN connection  Colour touch-screen  Made of light-weight, durable materials

2. Wireless/Communications  Campus-wide high-speed wireless LANs  High-speed home and workplace access  Metropolitan Area Networks  International and mobile Internet access

3. Application Servers  Powerful, large capacity, robust application servers are required for location independence  Need to provide storage and applications software to run from the web browser on the webSlate

4. Web Portal/Software  To provide information in a form and content suitable for the customer, USQ is developing sophisticated web portals

USQ’s BETTER Project

Current Project Plans  2001 – Stage 1 of installing wireless LAN networks over three campuses  2001 – Develop strategic partnerships with a number of hardware, software and telecommunications companies  2002 – Stage 2 of installing wireless LAN networks to cover  100% of USQ

Current Project Plans  Pilot project with 200 students operating webSlates and/or wireless laptops on campus  2003 – Expect 2,000 students utilising webSlates, Internet Appliances or wireless laptops on campus  2004 – All students accept Internet access any time/any place as a given!

Questions? Jeff McDonell Director of Information Technology Services University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba, QLD, Australia