Staying up with the technology is a challenge for colleges and universities as students continue to lug with them a host of electronic devices to occupy them during their academic and leisure time on campus. While most universities and colleges have been able to stay up-to-date with technology the challenge to maintain a competitive advantage is always looming. Today, recruiting top students and retaining quality faculty is as important as ever as higher education institutions prepare tomorrow’s students to confront careers in a global economy. This session will examine what universities and colleges across the country are doing to keep up with the latest technology trends. The discussion will revolve around the issues regarding Internet access, cellular phones, online courses, distance learning, recruitment efforts and gadgets from home. Hear from colleagues at local Missouri campuses discuss their current information technology strategies and plans for the future.
61% get money from home, averaging $313 monthly ($278)
Average age: 20.6
Family’s average income $110.4k ($90.6k)
Source: Spring 2006 Telecom Study, Student Monitor
2006 Vs. 1976 - This could break your heart
High-tech Laundry
Students at dozens of colleges, such as Syracuse, American University and Marist College, can check online whether a vacant machine is waiting downstairs and how much time remains on each machine's cycle. They can also check when their dorm's peak laundry time is, so they can avoid having their sopping wet clothing taken out of the washer by someone else desperate to use the machine. Notifications are sent from the machines to computers, cell phones or PDAs.
Source: Forbes.com, January 20, 2006
Enhanced Student Communications
Montclair State University provides all incoming freshmen with Internet- and GPS-enabled mobile phones that can be used:
to access the academic course platform
as a personal alarm device which sends exact location to University Police
to learn about other incoming freshman by browsing their profiles
to receive text message alerts from the University
to participate in classroom polls and assessments
to check email.
Source: MSU Campus Connect, 2007
Gadgets Rule
Duke University spent $500,000 on iPods for 1,650 incoming freshman
Every student is required to have a laptop at UNC-Chapel Hill
University of Maryland gave 400 incoming MBA students free Blackberry devices last year
At Alfred State College, in Alfred, N.Y., students have free access to movies, music and TV
Morrisville State College in New York is giving everyone in dorms cell phones and adding a monthly cost to student fees
Source(s): USATODAY.com, March 28, 2005 & Forbes.com, January 20, 2006
It's About The Students Video
What's In on College Campuses?
iPods (73%)
Drinking beer (71%)
Facebook.com (71%)
Drinking other alcohol (67%)
Text messaging (66%)
Downloading music (66%)
Going to clubs (65%)
Instant messaging (63%)
Working out (62%)
Coffee (60%)
Computer Ownership by Students
Distance Learning & Online Courses Video
Wireless Trends
More than one-third of U.S. college campuses have Wi-Fi
35.9% of colleges are totally wireless
60.5% of colleges and universities increased their information technology budgets for wireless for the current school year.
Is there a wireless network on some portion of the campus?
Remote Access
Can students access their e-mail when they are away from campus?
Online Courses
Does the school offer for-credit courses delivered online?
Registration
Can students register for classes online?
Online Administrative Functions
Are administrative functions other than registration, such as tuition payments, adding or dropping courses, available online?
Computer Purchase
Does the school have a special pricing, discount or resale agreement with hardware vendors?
Handheld Computing
Does the school have special programs or course work available specifically for handheld devices, or specifically offers information technology support for these devices?
Streaming Courses
Does the school stream audio or video of any of its courses online?
Dorm Access
Is network access available in dorm rooms?
Lounge Access
Is network access available in dormitory lounges?
Ethics
Is a computer ethics policy in place for the school?
Usenet
Is a USENET feed available to students?
Computers Provided
Does the school's tuition include a computer for each student?
Multimedia Equipment
Does the school provide multimedia equipment like digital cameras, digital video cameras, scanners or professional-quality printers?
Emerging Curricula
Does the school offer courses in computer security, videogaming or robotics?
Digital Streaming
Does the school do any Webcasting or digital audio or video streaming of campus radio or TV stations?
Student Owned Computers
What is the percentage of undergraduates who own computers?
Coolest Tech on Campus
College-Owned Social Networking Sites
Streaming Video via Internet2
Ordering and Paying for Delivery Food via the Web
Checking Online for Available Washers/Dryers before Going to the Laundry Room
Providing students with a legal, unlimited, free access to movies, music and TV
Student ID cards that work as bank cards that can be swiped by local vendors
Handheld Programs
ID Bank Cards
Most schools have turned student ID cards into bank cards that can be swiped by local vendors. This way, students can pay using their meal-plan bucks, and student discounts can be applied. BlackBoard manages the back end of such card models for more than 50 schools and has partnered with national retailers like CVS, Chipotle and Jack In The Box to let students pay with their IDs.
Karen Montgomery is a former middle school science teacher and outreach program coordinator. While living in Cincinnati, she was selected as one of fifty teachers to participate in a hands-on environmental training workshop co-sponsored by the US EPA and Miami University and was chosen as a member of a writing team to develop curriculum utilizing zoos for informal science education paralleling Ohio State Model Science Curriculum.
Karen worked as the Education Coordinator for the Adventures In Medicine & Science (AIMS) community outreach program at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. She coordinated all aspects of the programs presented by AIMS including 3-D demonstrations and hands-on laboratory experiences for teachers and students. Additionally, she coordinated and developed curriculum manuals that included National Science Standards and Missouri Frameworks for a series of satellite programs with the Missouri School Boards Association’s Educational Satellite Network (ESN). In 1999, the programs were awarded a 3rd Place Award for Distance Learning Partnership between Business and Industry by the United States Distance Learning Association.
Karen joined AT&T Missouri in 2004 and works closely with AT&T education account managers in St. Louis metropolitan area and the state of Missouri to identify opportunities, assist customers with technology choices, and provide value-add services such as customized workshops and presentations.
Since joining AT&T, Karen has provided workshops and consulting for customers in both K-12 and higher education. Some of her recent conference presentations have included “e-Portfolios Using Everyday Software,” “AT&T’s Knowledge Network Explorer,” “Blended Education for the 21st Century,” “Creating Online Activities with Filamentality,” “Online Collaborative Projects,” PodGuides For Learning” and “Using PDA-Friendly Websites In The Classroom.”
Karen currently serves as member of the Education Technology Association of St. Louis, Midwest Education Technology Conference Advisory Committee and the St. Louis Regional Deliberation Project Planning Committee. Karen’s areas of expertise are content-based staff instruction, grant writing, and curriculum development.
Jason Hudnall has been involved in education technology in MO for more than 10 years wearing many different hats as: a science teacher, district technology coordinator, librarian facilitator, curriculum coordinator, geologist, coach, and an education consultant.
Jason has a Masters Degree in Education Technology and degrees in Education and Geology from Washington University in St. Louis, MO.
Currently, Jason continues to support K-12 and higher education customers across the state of MO in Data Communication Sales for AT&T. He specializes in IP telephony, video conferencing, wireless, managed services, and other advanced technologies.
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