Interactive Learning and Mobile
Computing at Rensselaer
Sharon Roy
Director, Academic Computing Services
Myra Williams
Assistant Director, CIS Business Services
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Early Computing Initiatives
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Computer Calculus
Computing Across the Curriculum
Engineering Graphics and CAD
Wide and deep adoption of technology since
1990
– Departmental and school initiatives
– Instructional Development Program
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Interactive Learning
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Fewer lectures
More student participation
Faculty as coach
Students work in teams
Many variations
Ongoing curriculum reform in Engineering
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Studio Classrooms
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Designed to facilitate interaction
Physics led the way (CUPLE)
Technology-rich environment
Evolving to include more web-based
learning
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Student Laptop Requirement
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3-year voluntary pilot program
1998 highly recommended
1999 required of all freshmen
2000 second year of requirement
2001 first refresh
2002 full deployment
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Student Mobile Computing
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Laptops required for freshmen and sophomores
IBM ThinkPad T20
Configuration and training sessions
Skills assessment and short courses
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Software Included
Windows 98
Microsoft Office Pro 2000
Visual C++
Maple 6 (symbolic algebra program)
SolidWorks (a CAD package)
MapInfo Pro
National Instruments LabView
Internet Explorer/Netscape Communicator
Norton Anti-virus software
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
How do students use their laptops?
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Courses
Research
Communication
Collaboration
Recreation
Portability makes it all easier.
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
First-year courses using laptops
• Math
• Physics http://www.rpi.edu/~wagnerdj
• Introduction to Engineering Analysis
http://links.math.rpi.edu/devmodules/bicycle
• Engineering Graphics and CAD
• Computer Science
• Chemistry and Chemistry of Materials
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Architecture
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
From Pilot to Requirement
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1995-1998 designated sections
Math I and II
Physics I and II
Introduction to Engineering Analysis
Students and faculty volunteered for the
program
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Fall 1999 Challenges
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All large-enrollment freshman courses
Courses with some sophomores and juniors
Faculty preparation
Short time from decision to delivery
Classrooms
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Fall 2000 Challenges
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Adapting sophomore courses
Reaching skeptical faculty
Growing software needs
More classrooms
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Faculty Mobile Computing
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Putting laptops in the hands of faculty
Sponsored by Provost’s Office
Matching funds from department or school
Priority to those teaching or preparing to
teach laptop courses
• Program in its fourth year
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Faculty Workshops
Faculty sharing ideas
(and doubts!)
Learning from early adopters
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
First year theme: why laptops?
• Report from Laptop Implementation Team
• Keynote from David Brown
• Examples from the pilot program
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Learning from peers
• Early adopters not always good role models
• Departmental peer use important source of
knowledge
• Later adopters need more support
• Technology as a time sink
• Ease of use, templates, adaptability
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Reports from the Classroom
• Old and Evolving Paradigms in Math,
H. McLaughlin
• Studio Classes in Architecture, M.Mistur
• Studios and Laptops in Physics,
P. Casabella
• Laptops and Studio IEA, J. Brunski
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
The McLaughlin Questions
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How have instructors changed or improved their course
goals by involving laptops in instruction?
How have instructors assessed the value of using laptops
in their courses?
How have instructors increased their efficiency?
What do the students think?
What time is given up to the use of laptops?
What have other schools done?
What can we learn from outside sources?
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Breakout Groups
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Chem-Materials
IEA
IT
Comp Sci
Math
June, 2001
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EMAC
H&SS
Management
Physics
Architecture
ThinkTank 2001
Goal: Formulate Fall Plans
• Class visits
• Demos by IDEA consultants
• Consult with ACS staff
Software selection
WebCT
• Discussion among departmental colleagues
• Report to group on Day 2
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Follow-up Activities
• Departmental initiatives
• Faculty release time and summer salaries
• Hands-on training for new laptop users
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Ongoing Support
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WebCT templates
Workshops
User group
Seminar series
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Does it make a difference?
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Faculty survey
Student survey
Fall colloquium on laptop effectiveness
Return to the McLaughlin Questions
More needed, but we need to make sure we
are asking the right questions
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Spring 2001 Colloquium on
Teaching & Learning
Jose Mestre, Professor of Physics, University of
Massachusetts-Amherst
Using Learning Research to Transform the Way
We Teach
Bill Gerace, Professor of Physics, University of
Massachusetts-Amherst
Improving problem solving by emphasizing
reasoning, analysis, and knowledge structuring
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Teaching and Learning
Dan Budny, Director, Freshman Programs &
Professor of Engineering, U. of Pittsburgh.
Cooperative Learning and Learning Styles
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Teaching and Learning
Improving Web-based Learning
Unleashing the power of WebCT:
Three ways to improve your course web site.
Harry Roy, Badri Roysam, Guido Slangen, and Don
Bell
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Teaching and Learning
Next Generation Studio: Connecting Web and
Classroom Learning
Brad Lister, Bill Siegmann, Doug Baxter
Addressing Differences in Learning Styles
Michael Danchak, Linda McCloskey, Brad Lister
What Do They Learn?
New Techniques for Formative Assessment
Karen Cummings, Debbie Kaminski
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
More Information
Our support of WebCT
www.rpi.edu/dept/acs/workshops/
Mobile Computing at Rensselaer
www.rpi.edu/dept/acs/siguccs/mobilecomputing.ppt
www.rpi.edu/dept/cis/web/laptops/
Interactive Learning, Student Survey
http://www.ciue.rpi.edu/
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Where are we now?
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Third Year Refresh
First Year Experience
Upper-level classes
Still more classrooms
Ubiquitous computing is the air we breathe!
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001
Questions?
June, 2001
ThinkTank 2001