the promise and pitfalls of using a wireless classroom jean caswell and laverne simoneaux...
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The Promise and Pitfalls of Using a Wireless Classroom
Jean Caswell and Laverne SimoneauxSoutheastern Louisiana UniversityLITA Forum, Houston, TX Oct. 11-13, 2002
Background
• Southeastern Louisiana University– 15,000 students– 1,700 faculty and staff– LS102 classes – 33 classes/semester– Bibliographic instruction – 120 sessions/semester
Problems to Overcome
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
Problem #2
Lack of Funding
• Possible Solutions• Technology fee grants• Year-end money• Library and Scientific funds
Problem #3
Technical SupportCampus Information Technology Department
• 4 networking staff• 8 Help Desk staff
Library Systems Department• 1 Systems Librarian
Technological Considerations
Technological Considerations
Feasibility Study
• Bibliography• Other departments on campus• Tangipahoa Parish public schools
Technological Considerations
Wireless LAN Standards
• IEEE 802.11 – 1998 - 2 Mbps• IEEE 802.11b – 2000 - 11 Mbps• IEEE 802.11a – 2002 – 54 Mbps
Technological Considerations
Selection of Wireless Vendors
• Approved wireless vendors• Cisco• Lucent• 3Com
Technological Considerations
Turnkey Systems• Wireless hub,
notebooks, cart• Dell• Gateway• Compaq• IBM• Apple
Technological Considerations
Network Configuration and Security
• Working with your campus computing group
• Wireless networks and campus network security
Technological Considerations
Software Installation and PC Security• Software security packages
• Internet filtering• WinSelect• CleanSlate• Fortress• Windows 2000• Tattletaping
Room Layout and Architectural Considerations
Previous Floor Plan
Wireless Floor Plan
Ongoing Troubleshooting
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
Educational Considerations
• Room scheduling• Students’ unfamiliarity
with laptops• Transition from passive
to active learning• Pre- and post-testing
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
Students and Laptops
Problems– Laptops in 50 minute or less--YIKES!– Students unfamiliar to laptop use– Mousepad difficulties
Solutions– Student helpers– External mice
Passive to Active Learning
• “Follow the leader” doesn’t work
• Change emphasis from passive (demonstration) to active learning (guided assignments with cursory instruction)
Assessment of Student Learning
• Pre- and Post-testing with MS FrontPage• Student learning• Bibliographic instruction• SACS accreditation
• http://www3.selu.edu/libref/bisurvey.asp
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 GautreauxInstructor in English
Where we go from here