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Rensselaer’s Rensselaer’s Mobile Computing Program:Mobile Computing Program:

A Whale of an Idea!A Whale of an Idea!

Myra WilliamsMyra WilliamsEd SeegerEd Seeger

Nancy KutnerNancy KutnerPatrick ValiquettePatrick Valiquette

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Rensselaer OverviewRensselaer Overview

•Educates the leaders of tomorrow Educates the leaders of tomorrow for technologically-based careersfor technologically-based careers

•Private institution founded in 1824Private institution founded in 1824•7000 students – 5000 7000 students – 5000

undergraduates, 2000 grad undergraduates, 2000 grad studentsstudents

•520 faculty, 1430 staff520 faculty, 1430 staff•Schools – Architecture, Schools – Architecture,

Engineering, Humanities and Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, Management and Social Sciences, Management and Technology, ScienceTechnology, Science

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Why have a Why have a Mobile Computing Program?Mobile Computing Program?

•Academic need - technology Academic need - technology used extensively in the used extensively in the curriculumcurriculum

•Standardization offers best Standardization offers best supportsupport

•Allows students to work Allows students to work anywhere/anytimeanywhere/anytime

•Facilitates student collaborationFacilitates student collaboration

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Mobile Computing Mobile Computing ProgramProgram

•Laptops required for undergraduate studentsLaptops required for undergraduate students•Standard high-end laptop including software Standard high-end laptop including software

at an excellent priceat an excellent price•Students acquire through purchase, lease to Students acquire through purchase, lease to

own, or financial aid own, or financial aid •Approximately 95% participationApproximately 95% participation•Laptops used inside and outside of classLaptops used inside and outside of class•Over 6,000 laptops on campusOver 6,000 laptops on campus•http://www.rpi.edu/laptopshttp://www.rpi.edu/laptops

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Mobile Computing PackageMobile Computing Package

•High-end laptopHigh-end laptop

•BackpackBackpack

•Ethernet cableEthernet cable

•Security cable Security cable

•Pre-loaded software suitePre-loaded software suite

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Pre-installed Pre-installed SoftwareSoftware

• Microsoft Windows XP ProfessionalMicrosoft Windows XP Professional

• Microsoft Office Professional 2003Microsoft Office Professional 2003

• Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Academic Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Academic ProfessionalProfessional

• Maplesoft Maple (symbolic algebra program)Maplesoft Maple (symbolic algebra program)

• Mathworks Matlab Mathworks Matlab

• SolidWorks (a CAD package) SolidWorks (a CAD package)

• National Instruments LabView National Instruments LabView

• Bentley Systems MicroStation Bentley Systems MicroStation

• SecureCRT SecureCRT

• Microsoft Internet ExplorerMicrosoft Internet Explorer

• Anti-virus software suiteAnti-virus software suite

• IBM Rapid RestoreIBM Rapid Restoreand moreand more

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SupportSupport

•Help DeskHelp Desk

•Computer Repair Computer Repair •Campus Computer StoreCampus Computer Store

All located in one building –All located in one building –

the Voorhees Computing Center the Voorhees Computing Center (VCC) (VCC)

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On-CampusOn-CampusDistributionDistribution

•Coordinated with Residence LifeCoordinated with Residence Life•Volunteers from across campus are Volunteers from across campus are involvedinvolved•Just before classes begin in the fallJust before classes begin in the fall•250-300 per hour250-300 per hour•Pickup laptopPickup laptop•Attend start-up sessionAttend start-up session

Every student leaves with a working Every student leaves with a working laptop!laptop!

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Why a standard model?Why a standard model?Advantages to RensselaerAdvantages to Rensselaer

•Equal access for all studentsEqual access for all students

•Consistent supportConsistent support

•Easier for classworkEasier for classwork

•Volume discountsVolume discounts

•Lower support costsLower support costs

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Why a standard model?Why a standard model?Advantages to RensselaerAdvantages to Rensselaer

(continued)(continued)

•Student recruitmentstudents 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?Why a standard model?Advantages to studentsAdvantages to students

•ValueValue

•AppropriatenessAppropriateness

•Easier for classworkEasier for classwork

•CommonalityCommonality

•Service and supportService and support

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The standard modelThe standard modelYr Model CPU /

SpeedMemory

(MB)HD

(GB)Screen

ResolutionCD and

DVD

99 600E 366 MHz 128 6.4 1024x768 CD

Pentium III

00 T20 700 MHz 128 12 1024x768 CD/DVD

Pentium III

01 T22 900 MHz 256 32 1400x1050 CD/DVD

Pentium III

02 T30 1.8 GHz 256 40 1024x768 CDRW/

Pentium 4 DVD

03 T40 1.6 GHz 512 80 1400x1050 CDRW/

Pentium M DVD

04 T42 1.8 GHz 512 80 1400x1050 CDRW/

Pentium M DVD

05 T43 2.0 GHz 1GB 80 1400x1050 CDRW/

Pentium M DVDRW

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Program EvolutionProgram 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 – Program Evolution – continuedcontinued

•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

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How do you get a program How do you get a program off the ground?off the ground?

•Need support and involvement of the entire campus

•Need strong corporate partners

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Campus SupportCampus 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 – Campus Support – continuedcontinued

•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 OurSome of OurCorporate PartnersCorporate Partners

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Laptop ImageLaptop 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 IntegrationAcademic 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-IntegratedLaptop-IntegratedCoursesCourses

•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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What’s Missing?What’s 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