Student Computer Requirement Committee
Outreach Conference Room
DATE: October 31, 2006
Members
Present:
Guests Present:
Members
Absent:
Debasish Banerjee, Richard Beam, Russell Cheadle, Beth Coulter, Debbie
Justice, Anna McFadden, Bob Orr, Newt Smith, Chris Snyder, Mike
Stewart, Mary Teslow, Yachica Martin
Neil Torda, Candace Roberts, Ron Hunter, Duane Dunlap, Karen Lunnen
Andrew Chase, Will Dulaney, Larry Hammer, Bob Houghton, Beth Huber,
Akum Jamir, Terry Kinnear
 Minutes of October 4, 2006 meeting were approved.
 Neil explained that roughly half of the faculty filled out the survey on
how the tablet has performed in the test program.
o
All 9 folks who filled out the survey reported tablet problems
 Neil also knows of two other folks who have not filled out the
survey have had issues
o
The BIOS software was reported as an issue from the company
and the installation of the new software should take care of 80%
of the problems. Neil expects to soon re-image the computers
with the old BIOS software.
o
Need a decision ready for January as to whether or not require
everyone to have a tablet.
o
A test group of students are using tablets in the classroom to read
journals, use pen for daily journals they are keeping, annotating
PowerPoint, etc.
 Anna explained that they are currently comparing classes with
and without tablets and recording data.
o
Overall, the faculty members are ok with using the tablets; only
issue is that the screen appears in different orientation for
PowerPoints being shown on projectors.
 Ron Hunter, from the Criminal Justice department, recommended
requiring students to have laptops over computers.
o
Wireless internet access would need to be available everywhere;
this is crucial if we are to require students to bring laptops/tablets.
 Wireless access is projected to be available in all academic
buildings by the end of the academic year.
o
The group discussed the difference between laptops and tablets.
The major two differences cited were: the ability to quickly and
easily write on the tablet screen with a pen and the ability to
rotate the tablet screen to almost any direction (good for
presentations, pointing out items to others, etc)
 If either a laptop or tablet is recommended, the group agreed
they want it to be the best choice.
o
The issue of the number of outlets in classrooms was discussed.
 Neil explained that some institutions have recommended
buying a second battery and some have even implemented a
battery recharging station, where students make take a dead
battery and receive a fully charged battery for class.
 The university could choose three different models of laptops
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
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to recommend, each of which uses the same type of battery.
This would make the battery recharging station more feasible.
Duane Dunlap, from the Department of Engineering, explained that his
building has over 300 laptops used on a daily basis and has own IT
infrastructure running wireless for over four years and has not had
connectivity/overload problems.
o
Duane recommends the requirement of laptops (do not necessarily
need tablets) for his department so students could access software
on an internal server (Citrix) via intranet.
 Placing software on Citrix would allow students with laptops
to run in it anywhere and would cut back the cost of putting
expensive software on multiple workstations.
 The Department of Engineering recommends using their shop
as the “guinea pig” for the Citrix solution and students using
laptops.
Karen Lunnen, from the Department of Physical Therapy, was
concerned about the cost and security of laptops/tablets, but does still
want to require them.
o
In classes, faculty could use to show supplemental materials on
line, especially since there is a tremendous amount of health
resources online.
o
Software used in the department is currently loaded on machines
in a small lab; but the cost of licenses is quite expensive
o
Faculty in the department are now telling students they cannot do
something in the field unless evidence based; laptops/tablets
would allow students to immediately find the needed evidence.
Candace Roberts, from Interior Design, have suggested that students
have laptops for two years.
o
Students are required to do research in all classes and laptops are
very helpful for this reason.
o
The Interior Design field is quickly moving toward digital
portfolios.
 MAC is supposed to better in the field; maybe this could be a
second recommendation.
o
Power-strips are in classrooms; however, many people have fallen
over the cables plugging in laptops. Students are not allowed to
plug in during class (unless sit at perimeters of room by outlets)
and are encouraged to buy a second battery.
o
Student reaction towards having to purchase Auto CAD software
and having own laptop has been “uh-oh”; but the software can
now be downloaded for $99 for a year long license and students
without laptops are encouraged to share with others.
 Students without additional funding from the university or
grants may have problems purchasing laptops.
o
Candace is not familiar with tablets and cannot recommend one
over the other.
Debasish Banerjee, from the College of Business, asked his class what
they suggest - a tablet or a laptop.
o
The class recommended the laptop over the tablet

This class is very small and is all male, so by no means acts
an overall representation for the university
 Students did note if they are required to bring laptops to
classes, they do not also want to lug textbooks for the class as
well
 Use of a rolling tote bag was mentioned as a possible
solution to carrying books and laptops.
 Textbooks could also be ordered in PDF format, and in
some cases, as CDs/DVDs
 Chris Snyder compiled national data on how other universities are
approaching mobile computing.
o
Mobile is the new “in” thing.
 ECU is using smart phones and PDA’s.
 Duke has been using iPODs for pod-casting for the past two
years
o
Our current state of not being wireless campus wide is not too
different from other universities. Most are not covering entire
campus.
o
Schools are looking at different communication methods; some
have even implemented cell-phone pilot programs.
 Students are now using MySpace and Facebook to
communicate in place of email, which they consider to be for
“old folks.”
o
Benefits of using mobile devices is the great benefit of opening
up communications between students and faculty as never before.
 Issues to be considered:
o
Student input needed
o
Address pen problems of tablets
o
Training of faculty
o
Industry is not pushing purchase of tablets
o
Departmental recommendation
o
Faculty must buy into requirement
o
Classroom environment to be capable of support
o
How does technology fit in the classroom
o
Different teaching styles (laptops sometimes used – sometimes
not)
Other:
The next meeting will be on December 7, 2006 at 2:00 PM in Outreach
Conference Room 101.