Ubiquitous Laptop ComputingLessons Learned by Early Adopters

Educause, Indianapolis, October 29, 2001

David G. Brown, Time Keeper & Opener

All teaching may proceed on theassumption that all students have7x24 access to the Internet

Student computers are mobile

Ubiquitous Laptop Computing

Session Website: www.wfu.edu/~brown/educause/educauseind.htmForthcoming Book: Ubiquitous Computing, Anker Publishing, 2002.

2001 Pioneer Awardees4th Annual Conference on Ubiquitous Computing

• Acadia University• Clayton State College and University• Drexel University• Drew University• Seton Hall University• SUNY-Morrisville• U.S. Air Force Academy• University of Minnesota at Crookston• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill• West Virginia Wesleyan University• Wake Forest University

Bolded universitiesare represented onthis panel. Each willpresent 3 lessons.

Acadia University---Jennifer Bolt, Director,Acadia Institute for Teaching and Technology

• The real advantages of mobile computing are the empowerment and increased confidence of the students.

• The opportunities to enhance the learning environment through mobile computing go far beyond improving classroom academics.

• Expectations must be managed.

Drexel University---Jan Biros, Associate VP Information and Learning Resources

• Put as many services as possible on the website.

• Build a cadre of students who continue top work over time and can be relied upon to do higher levels of support.

• Provide ongoing training for professional staff, both internal and external.

Seton Hall University Stephen Landry, CIO

• Provide multiple ways of supporting faculty innovation, both “top down” and “bottom up” strategies

• Seek partnerships and alliances.

• Phase in implementation over time. Pilot new technologies, including ubiquitous computing, extensively.

U.S. Air Force Academy---Larry Bryant, Director, Academic Computing

• Look for thle best value by fixing a ceiling price for vendor bidding.

• Disk imaging is the way to go.

• Maintenance of the student computers can either mark or break your plan.

University of Minnesota—CrookstonWilliam Peterson, Professor of Mathematics

• Development of effective academic uses is essential.

• Set the technology fee high enough to support the program

• Reliability is a key factor.

University of North Carolina at Chapel HillJohn Oberlin, Assc VC and Executive Director

• It’s nothing new, it’s just a commitment to do things well.

• The most important implementation committee is the communication committee.

• Developing the suppport infrastructure is more difficult than the technical.

Wake Forest University, David G. BrownVP and Dean, Computer Enhanced Learning

• Our most effective courses are hybrid, about 80% face-to-face and 20% virtual.

• The greatest gains from computers come from increased communication between classes, not during class.

• Use a commercial course management system.

More About Ubiquitous Computing

Mid-Atlantic Educause, Baltimore, December 3-4, 2001

(5th Annual Ubiquitous Computing Conference) http://www.educause.edu/conference/marc/2001/hotel.asp

Session Website: www.wfu.edu/~brown/educause/educauseind.htm

Ubiquitous Computing, Anker Publishing, 2002.http://www.ankerpub.com/books