Rensselaer’s Mobile Computing Program: A Whale of an Idea!

1. Rensselaer’s Mobile Computing Program:A Whale of an Idea! Myra Williams Ed Seeger Nancy Kutner Patrick Valiquette SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

2. Rensselaer Overview Educates the leaders of tomorrow for technologically-based careers Private institution founded in 1824 7000 students – 5000 undergraduates, 2000 grad students 520 faculty, 1430 staff Schools – Architecture, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, Management and Technology, Science SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

3. Why have a Mobile Computing Program? Academic need - technology used extensively in the curriculum Standardization offers best support Allows students to work anywhere/anytime Facilitates student collaboration SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

4. Mobile Computing Program Laptops required for undergraduate students Standard high-end laptop including software at an excellent price Students acquire through purchase, lease to own, or financial aid Approximately 95% participation Laptops used inside and outside of class Over 6,000 laptops on campus http://www.rpi.edu/laptops SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

5. Mobile Computing Package High-end laptop Backpack Ethernet cable Security cable Pre-loaded software suite SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

6. Pre-installed Software Microsoft Windows XP Professional Microsoft Office Professional 2003 Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Academic Professional Maplesoft Maple (symbolic algebra program) Mathworks Matlab SolidWorks (a CAD package) National Instruments LabView Bentley Systems MicroStation SecureCRT Microsoft Internet Explorer Anti-virus software suite IBM Rapid Restoreand more SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

7. Support Help Desk Computer Repair Campus Computer Store All located in one building – the Voorhees Computing Center (VCC) SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

8. On-CampusDistribution Coordinated with Residence Life Volunteers from across campus are involved Just before classes begin in the fall 250-300 per hour Pickup laptop Attend start-up session Every student leaves with a working laptop! SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

9. Why a standard model?Advantages to Rensselaer Equal access for all students Consistent support Easier for classwork Volume discounts Lower support costs SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

10. Why a standard model?Advantages to Rensselaer(continued) • Student recruitment • students consider available technology when selecting a school • mobile computing has a strong influence on potential students • parents like having a standard model SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

11. Why a standard model?Advantages to students Value Appropriateness Easier for classwork Commonality Service and support SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

12. The standard model SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

13. Program Evolution • Added administrative database • Included security cable • Increased deductible for theft and loss • Began self-insured process • Academic program - no sales tax • (continued) SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

14. Program Evolution – continued • Added ThinkPad Protection for accidental damage coverage • RFP process - renewed contract with IBM • Created trade-up program • Lease changed to lease-to-own • President’s Award SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

15. How do you get a program off the ground? • Need support and involvement of the entire campus • Need strong corporate partners SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

16. Campus Support • Division of the Chief Information Officer • “Mobile Team” • Banner – Student Information System • Networking • Campus Computer Store • Rensselaer Computer Repair • Help Desk • Media Operations SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

17. Campus Support – continued • President • Students and Parents • Provost/Dean of Undergraduate Education • Academic Departments/Faculty • Enrollment Management (Admissions) • Residence Life • First Year Experience • Financial Aid • Volunteers from across campus • Campus Planning and Design • Environmental and Site Services • Physical Plant SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

18. Some of OurCorporate Partners SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

19. Laptop Image • Software is included in the image • Large image – 18 gigabytes • Faculty can plan knowing the software is installed and properly configured • Class time not used installing/configuring software • Easier to remove software than install it • Self-service re-image process available SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

20. Academic Integration • Course Software • Maple – Mathematics, Engineering • SolidWorks – Engineering • MATLAB – Engineering • MS Visual Studio – Computer Science • Microstation – Architecture • LabVIEW – Engineering, Computer Science • Cygwin – Computer Science, Engineering SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

21. Laptop-IntegratedCourses • Calculus • Physics • Freshmen Studies • Next Generation Studio Biology • Advanced Manufacturing Lab (AML) • Introduction to Engineering Analysis • Engineering Graphics and Computer Aided Design • Laboratory Introduction to Embedded Control (LITEC) SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

22. What’s Missing? • Licensing costs and issues affect included software • Refresh program • Faculty Mobile Computing Program • Discipline-specific models SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA

23. Questions? Discussionhttp://www.rpi.edu/dept/arc/siguccs/presentation2005.ppt SIGUCCS 2005 – Monterey, CA