Critical Success Factors for Ubiquitous Computing

1. Presented to the 2004 NY State CIO Conference Pace University Critical Success Factors for Ubiquitous Computing Stephen G. Landry CIO Seton Hall University July 23, 2004

2. Seton Hall University: • mid sized, private, Catholic affiliated • Located in suburban NJ, 15 miles from NYC • Research / Doctoral Intensive • 4,400 Full Time Undergraduates / 50% residential • Key Idea:SHU’s successfulimplementation of a University strategic plan, including a long-range technology plan and budget, which resulted in: • 1999 Educause Award for Networking Excellence • 2000 Educause Award for Systemic Progress in T&L • Yahoo! Internet Life Survey of “Most Wired” Universities • Strategic Alliance with IBM Corporation • Numerous campus visits / conference presentations

3. The IT Long-Range Plan and Budget was developed in 1995-6 by a cross functional team with sponsorship of the President, CAO, and CFO • Mobile Computing Program (Ubiquitous Computing) • Online Graduate / Professional Degree Programs • Infrastructure Upgrade / Major Reorganization of IT • Mobile Computing Program consists of three interdependent components: • Access: The University licenses students the use of a laptop as part of their tuition and fees; • Curricular Integration: The University provides support and incentives to faculty to use technology in T&L • Services and Support: Network, Help Desk, etc.

4. What is Ubiquitous Computing? • Ubiquitous Computing refers to programs aimed at making a computer available to all members of a learning community. • Goal: To ensure everyone in the community has accessto necessarylearning materials, many of which are computer or network based. • As a practical matter, these programs usually involve ensuring that all students have some form of laptop computer and access to the Internet

5. What is Ubiquitous Computing? (cont.) • There is no single ubiquitous computing program that meets all needs or situations. • Variables to consider include: • Student Owned vs. Institution Owned • Uniform Hardware vs. Minimum Requirements • Fixed vs. Variable Replacement Cycle

6. Student Owned vs. Institution OwnedUniform Hardware vs. Minimum RequirementsFixed vs. Variable Replacement Cycle • How institutions choose among these options will depend on institutional practice and culture • Public vs. Private • Large vs. Small • Research vs. Liberal Arts • Elite vs. Non-Elite

7. Institutional Practice and Culture • Large Public Institutions: • Often have complex regulations regarding hardware acquisition, and so may focus on student ownership. • Small Private Institutions: • Non-Elite Private Institutions: May adopt the model of institutional ownership in the hope of gaining a competitive advantage • Elite Private Institutions: May assume most students own computers and therefore adopt an ownership requirement (e.g., 90% of incoming Dartmouth students reported having a computer that meets their minimum requirements)

8. Models of Ubiquitous Computing • Institutional Ownership / Uniform Hardware • E.g., Wake Forest University • Standard Hardware / Replaced Every Two Years • Financed through tuition and fees • Required fees can be included in computation of state and federal financial aid. • Institutional financial aid pool often increased to ameliorate added financial burden • High degree of uniformity eases technical support and curriculum development

9. Models of Ubiquitous Computing (cont.) • Student Ownership / Minimum Specification • E.g., Sonoma State University (Sonoma, CA) • Institution specifies minimum hardware requirements • Students are required to purchase a computer that meets institution’s specifications • Institution may recommend models and/or negotiate institutional pricing • Institution may offer financing • Institutions often outsource laptop repair and support • Replacement / Upgrades at discretion of student

10. Why Mobile Computing?“But we have computer labs …” • Computer Labs have a number of limitations • Limited Access: Studies show commuter students average fours hours a week on campus outside of class • Lack of Convenience: Students must conform the way they study to lab hours and regulations • Depersonalization: Students are unable to personalize lab computers. Students cannot adapt the computer to make their common tasks more convenient or trust the computer will be in the same state when they return.

11. Why Mobile Computing?“But we have computer labs …” (cont.) • How and where do YOU like to work? • In your office? At home? On the road? • At 1:00 AM? At 6:00 AM? • Do you like convenient access to your reference materials? Books? Articles? Library materials? • Do you like to have coffee or a soft drink while you work? Do you like to listen to music? • Do you like to walk away from the computer for an hour or two and pick up right where you left off? • If computer labs are so great, why do we typically provide faculty and administrators with individual computers?

12. “But desktop computers provide more bang for the buck…” • Do they really? • What value do you put on mobility? • Where do your students typically study? • Their dorm room? Their home? Their parents’ home? Their friends room? The library? Classrooms? The cafeteria? • MAYBE ALL OF THE ABOVE?Are your students “academic nomads,” traveling around the campus and its environs with their possessions in their backpacks? • What about the convenience / freedom enabled by wireless networks?

13. Mobile Computing at Seton Hall University • Seton Hall University’s Mobile Computing Program is an innovative academic program involving three components: • Access: The University licenses the use of a laptop computer to students as part of their tuition and fees • Curricular Integration: The University provides support and incentives to faculty to use technology in innovative ways to enhance teaching and learning • Network and Support Services: The University provides the infrastructure and support services that enable the effective use of technology in teaching and learning

14. Mobile Computing at Seton Hall (cont.) • Current Model:IBM ThinkPad R-series computer • 1.5 GHz Centrino; 14” TFT Screen; 512 Mb RAM; 40 Gb HDD; DVD-RW/CD-RW; Built-in 802.11a/b/g wireless, 10/100/1000 Ethernet, and 56Kb Modem; LiON Battery • Computer is replaced every two years • Current Technology Fee: $650 per semester • Bundled software includes: MS Windows ME, MS Office 2000, SPSS, Maple V, various utilities • Bundled services include: Technology Help Desk, PC Repairs, Loaner Computers; Network Services, including wireless network access from most academic and public spaces; Computer Training

15. Mobile Computing at Seton Hall (cont.) • Program Phase-In • 1995 – 1997: Pilot Programs • Focus on Teaching and Learning • Based on cohorts with common academic experiences (e.g., 1st Year Business and Biology Majors in Fall 1997) • Began Teaching, Learning, and Technology Center and internal grant program for faculty

16. Mobile Computing at Seton Hall (cont.) • Program Phase-In (cont.) • 1998 – 1999: Full Roll Out of Program • Program is Mandatory for Incoming FT Undergrads • Focus on Infrastructure • Major Network / Server Upgrades

17. Mobile Computing at Seton Hall (cont.) • Program Phase-In (cont.) • 2000 – Present: Enterprise Perspective • Focus on Enterprise Systems • Implementation of Web services for students (e.g., online registration, course audit, grades, etc.) • Automation of Mobile Computing processes (e.g., asset management, account generation, etc.) • Implementation of BlackBoard course management / portal system; 24/7 support services • Campus-wide wireless networking

18. Cost and Value of Mobile Computing • Major investment on the part of the University • Central IT Budget (incl. laptop leases / fees)for FY’04 approx. $18 million (9% of G&E) • Equally divided between personnel, operating, and Mobile Computing Program (technology fee) budgets • Most costs are operationalized / very little capital funding • Mobile Computing Assessment Project indicates the program has had positive impact on learning / student recruitment

19. Critical Success Factors for Mobile Computing at Seton Hall University • Create a campus-wide technology plan • Aligned with institutional strategic plan • Creates compelling vision for how technology will support the institution’s mission and goals • Focused on student experience with technology • Includes a long-range budget • Deals with implications of centralization and standardization of technology planning, acquisition, and support

20. Critical Success Factors (cont.)Seton Hall University • Executive sponsorship is vital • Obtain buy-in from “Iron Triangle” of Chief Executive Officer, Chief Academic Officer, and Chief Financial Officer • Create cross-divisional consensus for ubiquitous computing by engaging admissions, student affairs, career services, development, and other campus support units

21. Critical Success Factors (cont.)Seton Hall University • Faculty engagement is equally vital • Provide faculty input into planning • Provide incentives and support targeted at particular needs of faculty; reward faculty innovation; remove disincentives to faculty engagement • Provide multiple ways for faculty to become engaged; include both “top down” and “bottom up” approaches • Set bar for faculty entry and/or participation low; focus on the power of communication before transformational aspects of technology • Have a clear assessment plan

22. Critical Success Factors (cont.)Seton Hall University • Phase in implementation over time • Establish good pilot projects • Be sure the pilot projects pilot the environment you are trying to create • E.g., SHU’s Mobile Computing Pilot Projects ’95, ’96, ’97 created “Z” (a.k.a.“Mobile”) sections of classes restricted to students in Mobile Computing Pilot Program • Establish quality project management

23. Critical Success Factors (cont.)Seton Hall University • Develop necessary infrastructure and support services • The network is communication backbone of ubiquitous computing; be sure networks are stable and scalable • Anticipate increased demand for all types of support • View students as prospective support professionals and make effective use of students in your support areas (e.g., through the Student Technology Assistants [STA] Program)

24. Critical Success Factors (cont.)Seton Hall University • Establish long-term plan and budget for technology • Explore combination of means to fund initiative • Tuition increase • Technology fee • Reallocation / budget reductions in other areas • Capital infusion from quasi-endowment • Develop clear replacement strategy • Shift to operating rather than capital budgets

25. Critical Success Factors (cont.)Seton Hall University • Explore partnerships and alliances • Use “total cost of ownership” models to make case that lowest purchase price may NOT be lowest overall price • Seek partners that provide highest quality program and lowest overall cost

26. Critical Success Factors (cont.)Seton Hall University • Assessment is critical • Assessment helps with • Initial buy-in • Tactical adjustments to the program • Planning long-term changes in faculty support • Be sure to have clear goals to assess • Be sure to ask the right questions • Definitions of success may vary

27. Questions? • For more information contact me: • Stephen G. Landry, Ph.D.CIO / Seton Hall UniversityE-Mail: landryst@shu.edu Web site: pirate.shu.edu/~landryst