Interactive Learning and Mobile Computing at Rensselaer

June, 2001 ThinkTank 2001

Interactive Learning and Mobile Computing at Rensselaer

Sharon RoyDirector, Academic Computing Services

Myra WilliamsAssistant Director, CIS Business Services


Early Computing Initiatives• 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


Interactive Learning• Fewer lectures

• More student participation

• Faculty as coach

• Students work in teams

• Many variations

• Ongoing curriculum reform in Engineering


Studio Classrooms• Designed to facilitate interaction

• Physics led the way (CUPLE)

• Technology-rich environment

• Evolving to include more web-based learning


Student Laptop Requirement

• 3-year voluntary pilot program

• 1998 highly recommended

• 1999 required of all freshmen

• 2000 second year of requirement

• 2001 first refresh

• 2002 full deployment


Student Mobile Computing • Laptops required for freshmen and sophomores• IBM ThinkPad T20• Configuration and training sessions• Skills assessment and short courses


Software IncludedWindows 98Microsoft Office Pro 2000Visual C++Maple 6 (symbolic algebra program)SolidWorks (a CAD package)MapInfo ProNational Instruments LabViewInternet Explorer/Netscape CommunicatorNorton Anti-virus software


How do students use their laptops?

• Courses

• Research

• Communication

• Collaboration

• Recreation

• Portability makes it all easier.


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


From Pilot to Requirement• 1995-1998 designated sections

• Math I and II

• Physics I and II

• Introduction to Engineering Analysis

• Students and faculty volunteered for the program


Fall 1999 Challenges• All large-enrollment freshman courses

• Courses with some sophomores and juniors

• Faculty preparation

• Short time from decision to delivery

• Classrooms


Fall 2000 Challenges• Adapting sophomore courses

• Reaching skeptical faculty

• Growing software needs

• More classrooms


Faculty Mobile Computing• 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


Faculty Workshops

Faculty sharing ideas(and doubts!)

Learning from early adopters


First year theme: why laptops?• Report from Laptop Implementation Team

• Keynote from David Brown

• Examples from the pilot program


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


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


The McLaughlin Questions1. How have instructors changed or improved their course

goals by involving laptops in instruction?

2. How have instructors assessed the value of using laptops in their courses?

3. How have instructors increased their efficiency?

4. What do the students think?

5. What time is given up to the use of laptops?

6. What have other schools done?

7. What can we learn from outside sources?


Breakout Groups• Chem-Materials• IEA• IT• Comp Sci• Math

• EMAC• H&SS• Management• Physics• Architecture


Goal: Formulate Fall Plans• Class visits

• Demos by IDEA consultants

• Consult with ACS staff Software selectionWebCT

• Discussion among departmental colleagues

• Report to group on Day 2


Follow-up Activities• Departmental initiatives

• Faculty release time and summer salaries

• Hands-on training for new laptop users


Ongoing Support• WebCT templates

• Workshops

• User group

• Seminar series


Does it make a difference?• 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


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-AmherstImproving problem solving by emphasizingreasoning, analysis, and knowledge structuring


Teaching and Learning Dan Budny, Director, Freshman Programs &

Professor of Engineering, U. of Pittsburgh.

Cooperative Learning and Learning Styles


Teaching and LearningImproving 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


Teaching and LearningNext Generation Studio: Connecting Web

and Classroom LearningBrad Lister, Bill Siegmann, Doug Baxter

Addressing Differences in Learning StylesMichael Danchak, Linda McCloskey, Brad Lister

What Do They Learn? New Techniques for Formative AssessmentKaren Cummings, Debbie Kaminski


More Information

Our support of WebCT www.rpi.edu/dept/acs/workshops/

Mobile Computing at Rensselaerwww.rpi.edu/dept/acs/siguccs/mobilecomputing.pptwww.rpi.edu/dept/cis/web/laptops/

Interactive Learning, Student Survey

http://www.ciue.rpi.edu/


Where are we now?• Third Year Refresh

• First Year Experience

• Upper-level classes

• Still more classrooms

• Ubiquitous computing is the air we breathe!


Questions?

Documents

Interactive Learning and Mobile Computing at Rensselaer