“One-to-one computing simply means one notebook PC for every
student for any time, anywhere mobile learning.
This access to technology in higher education, also known as ubiquitous
computing, is the universal adaptation of wireless technology with the
distinction that the technology is always present and always available,
anywhere on campus. Despite newness and
rapid growth, campus computing programs share one common vision: to provide universal one-to-one access to
information.” (Higher Education
During the summer of 2006, Dr. Smidt began to research the feasibility of issuing notebook PCs to UWP students. In addition to reading several white papers, he studied the websites of several universities and colleges that have been issuing notebooks to all their students for several years now. All the findings would be used to initiate discussions across campus and would be presented to various key committees on campus that would be instrumental in evaluating the feasibility and eventually making recommendations and decisions in the future.
Dr. Smidt has been filling a 3-ring notebook with everything that he has accumulated while doing the research. You are welcome to peruse this notebook by contacting Dr. Smidt. A summary of his findings, issues which need to be addressed, infrastructure concerns, and a complete reference list have been compiled into a MS document. This document is evolving as more is learned, more questions without answers are asked, and other issues arise. You can access this document via the following links:
It needs to be emphasized that this 1:1 computing initiative is only in a research and discussion phase. This does not constitute or imply that any formal or official actions or decisions have been made. A considerable amount of more research and many, many discussions and committee meetings will need to occur before any formal actions can be taken.
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9/25/06 M |
Present to Academic Affairs Council |
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9/27/06 W |
Present to AITC |
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10/3/06 T |
Present to ILC |
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10/24/06 T 1-5pm |
Workshop to introduce capabilities of the tablet PC (Gateway M285e); representatives from all colleges have been invited to attend |
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11/20/06 M 4:30 pm |
Present to Student Senate |
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2/21/07 12-1pm |
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TBD |
Present to Faculty Senate |
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TBD |
Present to STAC |
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Visit campuses that are implementing 1:1 computing |
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TBD |
UW-Stout |
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TBD |
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TBD |
Loras |
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TBD |
Possibly others |
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TBD = to be determined |
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A more extensive reference list can be found in the document cited above.
* Marks items that will get you familiarized the quickest with 1:1 computing and the related issues.
* Higher Education Mobile Learning Handbook by Center for Digital Education — A resource on one-to-one computing environments for administrators, faculty, and the higher education community. (2005).
* University of Vermont Case Study—UV has required students to have their own computers since 1984, be connected to the university network in 1993, and in 1999 portable computers became the standard PC for students. From the inception of requiring students to have their own computers until 2003, UV implemented a “soft mandate”—students could purchase any PC that meet certain minimum standards. In 2004 the School of Business Administration implemented a “hard mandate” to eliminate many of the shortcomings of the “soft mandate” program—all students had to purchase a specific brand and model PC; in this case, the Gateway M275 Tablet PC.
1:1 Computing Program by Gateway — an informational flyer
Winona State University Summary—overview of the WSU 1:1 Computing Program
Dakota State University Summary—overview of the DSU 1:1 Computing Program
Colleges & Universities that issue laptops/notebooks/tablet PCs to students (listed in alphabetical order):
Desire2Learn Inc.—The UW System has made available to all campuses the course support system which is commonly referred to as simply D2L. Technically D2L is the short name of the company and the product is called Learning Environment. D2L has other software applications that may need to be evaluated.
Dr. Warner Smidt
412 Pioneer Tower
342-1604
Last updated 10/17/06