Ubiquitous Computing refers to programs aimed at making a computer available to every member of a learning community so that everyone in that community is able to communicate and access learning materials “any time, any place.” One of the most visible aspects of Seton Hall's technology plan is the University's Mobile Computing Program, Seton Hall's version of ubiquitous computing. This innovative academic program provides a Lenovo ThinkPad computer to each undergraduate as part of his or her tuition and fees.
The computers used in this program are replaced every two years, ensuring that students and faculty have state-of-the-art mobile computers. More than just a laptop lease program, Mobile Computing provides a range of quality support and network services, including training, support, and incentives to faculty to integrate Information Technology into their courses in order to enhance teaching and learning. The University's Mobile Computing Program has three mutually reinforcing components.
- Access: the University provides each full time undergraduate student a University standard laptop computer as part of their tuition and fees;
- Services and Support: the University provides an array of network and support services that enable the laptop computer to be used as an effective communication and learning tool, including a Technology Help Desk available 24/7, an on-campus laptop repair center open over sixty hours per week, laptop insurance, a high speed campus network, a campus wireless network, access to Internet2 (a high performance research network), e-mail, the Blackboard portal and Learning Management systems (providing a suite of online tools for course-based communication, discussion, and learning assessment), network file storage (currently 250 MB for each student), and online enrollment services such as online registration, payment, and degree audits.
- Curricular Integration: The University provides specific services to faculty to promote and support the effective use of technology to enhance teaching and learning, including the services of the Teaching, Learning, and Technology (TLT) Center and internal grant programs such as the Curriculum Development Initiative (CDI).
Through implementation of the Mobile Computing Program, Seton Hall has achieved high levels of student and faculty use of technology in their teaching and learning. Faculty communicate regularly with their students using e-mail and the majority of faculty use Internet resources, such as the Blackboard Learning Management System, to supplement course material. All of the eighty classrooms on the South Orange campus have wireless network access and built-in audio and video projection systems. Several years ago the University began providing laptops to adjunct faculty, graduate assistants, and teaching assistants, ensuring that all instructors had access to a University computer.
In addition to the standard laptop, the program has expanded to include pilot projects which explore the use of Tablet PC's and the Apple MacBook. As part of the Tablet PC Pilot, all full time faculty on the South Orange campus can elect to receive a Tablet PC in place of a traditional laptop and all natural and mathematical science majors have been equipped with a Tablet PC. The Mac Pilot Project equips upper division students in music, film, and graphic arts majors with Apple MacBook computers. The pilots are geared at enhancing the learning experience in these majors.
For more information regarding the Mobile Computing Program, click on the links below:
