The Promise and Pitfalls of Using a Wireless Classroom

1
The Promise and Pitfalls of Using a Wireless
Classroom

• Jean Caswell and Laverne Simoneaux
• Southeastern Louisiana University
• LITA Forum, Houston, TX Oct. 11-13, 2002

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Background

• Southeastern Louisiana University
• 15,000 students
• 1,700 faculty and staff
• LS102 classes 33 classes/semester
• Bibliographic instruction 120 sessions/semester

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Problems to Overcome
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Problem 1

• Lack of Classroom Space
• 1 wired classroom
• LS 102 classes Monday- Thursday, 8am to 4pm
• 1 multi-purpose classroom
• Media
• ESL Classes
• Bibliographic Instruction

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Problem 2

• Lack of Funding
• Possible Solutions
• Technology fee grants
• Year-end money
• Library and Scientific funds

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Problem 3

• Technical Support
• Campus Information Technology Department
• 4 networking staff
• 8 Help Desk staff
• Library Systems Department
• 1 Systems Librarian

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Technological Considerations
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Technological Considerations

• Feasibility Study
• Bibliography
• Other departments on campus
• Tangipahoa Parish public schools

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Technological Considerations

• Wireless LAN Standards
• IEEE 802.11 1998 - 2 Mbps
• IEEE 802.11b 2000 - 11 Mbps
• IEEE 802.11a 2002 54 Mbps

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Technological Considerations

• Selection of Wireless Vendors
• Approved wireless vendors
• Cisco
• Lucent
• 3Com

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Technological Considerations

• Turnkey Systems
• Wireless hub, notebooks, cart
• Dell
• Gateway
• Compaq
• IBM
• Apple

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Technological Considerations

• Network Configuration and Security
• Working with your campus computing group
• Wireless networks and campus network security

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Technological Considerations

• Software Installation and PC Security
• Software security packages
• Internet filtering
• WinSelect
• CleanSlate
• Fortress
• Windows 2000
• Tattletaping

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Room Layout and Architectural Considerations
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Previous Floor Plan
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Wireless Floor Plan
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Ongoing Troubleshooting
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Ongoing Troubleshooting

• LibWireless--Wireless and Libraries List
• Discusses libraries and all types of wireless
  technologies
• http//groups.yahoo.com/group/LibWireless/
• Owner Bill Drew at SUNY Morrisville

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Educational Considerations

• Room scheduling
• Students unfamiliarity with laptops
• Transition from passive to active learning
• Pre- and post-testing

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Room Scheduling

• PC Setup and Shutdown
• Allow time for setup and troubleshooting
• Develop procedures for setup and shutdown
• Student help
• Number of consecutive sessions vs. battery life

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Students and Laptops

• Problems
• Laptops in 50 minute or less--YIKES!
• Students unfamiliar to laptop use
• Mousepad difficulties
• Solutions
• Student helpers
• External mice

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Passive to Active Learning

• Follow the leader doesnt work
• Change emphasis from passive (demonstration) to
  active learning (guided assignments with cursory
  instruction)

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Assessment of Student Learning

• Pre- and Post-testing with MS FrontPage
• Student learning
• Bibliographic instruction
• SACS accreditation
• http//www3.selu.edu/libref/bisurvey.asp

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Reactions to Wireless Classroom

• "The wireless computers are fabulous!"
• Dr. Karen McCormick
• Assistant Professor of Education
• "The laptops are wonderful! The students were
  so much more involved than they had been in the
  past when they were only watching."
• Winborne Gautreaux
• Instructor in English

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• Where we go from here