Rensselaers Mobile Computing Program: A Whale of an Idea

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Rensselaers Mobile Computing ProgramA Whale
of an Idea!

• Myra Williams
• Ed Seeger
• Nancy Kutner
• Patrick Valiquette

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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

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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

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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

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Mobile Computing Package

• High-end laptop
• Backpack
• Ethernet cable
• Security cable
• Pre-loaded software suite

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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

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Support

• Help Desk
• Computer Repair
• Campus Computer Store
• All located in one building
• the Voorhees Computing Center (VCC)

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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!

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Why a standard model?Advantages to Rensselaer

• Equal access for all students
• Consistent support
• Easier for classwork
• Volume discounts
• Lower support costs

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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

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Why a standard model?Advantages to students

• Value
• Appropriateness
• Easier for classwork
• Commonality
• Service and support

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The standard model
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Program Evolution

• Added administrative database
• Included security cable
• Increased deductible for theft and loss
• Began self-insured process
• Academic program - no sales tax
• (continued)

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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
• Presidents Award

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How do you get a program off the ground?

• Need support and involvement of the entire campus
• Need strong corporate partners

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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

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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

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Some of OurCorporate Partners
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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

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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

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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)

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Whats Missing?

• Licensing costs and issues affect included
  software
• Refresh program
• Faculty Mobile Computing Program
• Discipline-specific models

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Questions? Discussionhttp//www.rpi.edu/dept/arc
/siguccs/presentation2005.ppt