Faculty Mobile Computing at Rensselaer

1. Faculty Mobile Computing at Rensselaer Sharon Roy Director, Academic Computing Services Ubiquitous Computing Conference

2. 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 Ubiquitous Computing Conference

3. Student Mobile Computing • Laptops required for freshmen and sophomores • IBM ThinkPad T20 • Configuration and training sessions • Skills assessment and short courses Ubiquitous Computing Conference

4. Software Included Windows 98Microsoft Office Pro 2000Visual C++Maple 6 (symbolic algebra program)SolidWorks (a CAD package)MapInfo ProNational Instruments LabViewInternet Explorer/Netscape CommunicatorNorton Anti-virus software Ubiquitous Computing Conference

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

6. First-year courses using laptops • Math • Physics http://www.rpi.edu/~wagnerdj • Introduction to Engineering Analysis http://links.math.rpi.edu/devmodules/bicycle • Engineering Graphics and CAD • Computer Science • Chemistry and Chemistry of Materials • Humanities and Social Sciences • Architecture Ubiquitous Computing Conference

7. From Pilot to Requirement • 1995-1998 designated sections • Math I and II • Physics I and II • Introduction to Engineering Analysis • Students and faculty volunteered for the program Ubiquitous Computing Conference

8. Fall 1999 Challenges • All large-enrollment freshman courses • Courses with some sophomores and juniors • Faculty preparation • Short time from decision to delivery Ubiquitous Computing Conference

9. Fall 2000 Challenges • Adapting sophomore courses • Reaching skeptical faculty • Growing software needs Ubiquitous Computing Conference

10. 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 Ubiquitous Computing Conference

11. Faculty Workshop Faculty sharing ideas (and doubts!) Learning from early adopters Ubiquitous Computing Conference

12. Why laptops? • Report from Laptop Implementation Team • Keynote from David Brown • Examples from the pilot program Ubiquitous Computing Conference

13. 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 Ubiquitous Computing Conference

14. 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 Ubiquitous Computing Conference

15. Rensselaer Advantages • Computer Calculus • Computing Across the Curriculum • Engineering Graphics and CAD • Wide and deep adoption of technology since 1990 Ubiquitous Computing Conference

16. 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 Ubiquitous Computing Conference

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

18. Chem-Materials IEA IT Comp Sci Math EMAC H&SS Management Physics Architecture Breakout Groups Ubiquitous Computing Conference

19. Goal: Formulate Fall Plans • Class visits • Demos by IDEA consultants • Consult with ACS staff Software selectionWebCT • Discussion among departmental colleagues • Report to group on Day 2 Ubiquitous Computing Conference

20. Follow-up Activities • Departmental initiatives • Faculty release time and summer salaries • Hands-on training for new laptop users Ubiquitous Computing Conference

21. Ongoing Support • WebCT templates • Workshops • User group • Seminar series Ubiquitous Computing Conference

22. 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. Ubiquitous Computing Conference

23. 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” Ubiquitous Computing Conference

24. 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 Advanced Features Ubiquitous Computing Conference

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

26. More Information • About our support of WebCT www.rpi.edu/dept/acs/workshops/ • About Mobile Computing at Rensselaerwww.rpi.edu/dept/acs/siguccs/mobilecomputing.pptwww.rpi.edu/dept/cis/web/laptops/ Ubiquitous Computing Conference

27. Questions? Ubiquitous Computing Conference