STEP | Mobile Technology & Labs


	STEP Home Laptop Purchase Laptop Support Student Links Faculty Links Contact Info Christian Glotfelty STEP Technician cglotfel@lhup.edu 570-484-2379		Mobile Technology & Labs Technology Plan The first step in the technology planning process involved describing our vision for the use of computers and technology ten years into the future. Concensus was that notebook computers would be commonplace and that the notebook computer would be used in every academic course and program and all college services. No one would be excluded from being involved with technology. Thus, the institutional technology plan to accommodate this vision was that: Everyone would have a notebook computer. Everyone would be connected to everybody. Everyone would have 24-hour access to their computer and the network. Barriers in the Traditional Computer Laboratory Setting: Students were tied to a space and the hours of the day which this space was available was restricted. Student access was limited for large periods of time during the day and evening for classes and the doors were locked throughout the night. Faculty also competed for access to the limited computer laboratory time. This limited the use of computers and technology as an education enabling tool for enhancing teaching and learning. Most of the computers and software in the laboratories were outdated. Funds were used to purchase new technology but we continued to keep the older computers. There were usually a few empty seats in all classrooms each hour of the day. Computers were in classrooms but they were unavailable for student use during class hours. There was a growing need for student use of computers outside the classroom There were not enough funds in the budget to address the growing technology needs. Solution: The Mobile Computer The solution chosen by UMC was to purchase mobile notebook computers and provide them to all full-time students as part of their tuition and fees. This solution addressed each of the above barriers and provided additional benefits. Nearly all faculty incorporated technology into their courses and began to rethink teaching and learning. Current technology was significantly advanced. Out of classroom learning was enhanced by 24 hour student access to faculty, technology, software, and networks. Financial resources were available to purchase current technology throughout the institution.

Mobile Technology & Labs

Technology Plan

The first step in the technology planning process involved describing our vision for the use of computers and technology ten years into the future. Concensus was that notebook computers would be commonplace and that the notebook computer would be used in every academic course and program and all college services. No one would be excluded from being involved with technology. Thus, the institutional technology plan to accommodate this vision was that:

Everyone would have a notebook computer.
Everyone would be connected to everybody.
Everyone would have 24-hour access to their computer and the network.

Barriers in the Traditional Computer Laboratory Setting:

Students were tied to a space and the hours of the day which this space was available was restricted. Student access was limited for large periods of time during the day and evening for classes and the doors were locked throughout the night.
Faculty also competed for access to the limited computer laboratory time. This limited the use of computers and technology as an education enabling tool for enhancing teaching and learning.
Most of the computers and software in the laboratories were outdated. Funds were used to purchase new technology but we continued to keep the older computers.
There were usually a few empty seats in all classrooms each hour of the day. Computers were in classrooms but they were unavailable for student use during class hours.
There was a growing need for student use of computers outside the classroom
There were not enough funds in the budget to address the growing technology needs.

Solution: The Mobile Computer

The solution chosen by UMC was to purchase mobile notebook computers and provide them to all full-time students as part of their tuition and fees. This solution addressed each of the above barriers and provided additional benefits.

Nearly all faculty incorporated technology into their courses and began to rethink teaching and learning.
Current technology was significantly advanced.
Out of classroom learning was enhanced by 24 hour student access to faculty, technology, software, and networks.
Financial resources were available to purchase current technology throughout the institution.