Mid-South Instructional Technology Conference
Teaching, Learning, & Technology
The Connected Classroom
April 7-9, 2002
Technology On-Demand: Virtual Cluster Services
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By: Michael Kelleher, Pomona Valero |
Abstract
Rather than being enslaved to bolted down equipment, mobile and wireless computing allow for better shared resources and more flexible services. With the use of technology increasing in the curriculum, faculty want more control over how and where technology is used in the classroom. The evolution of a wireless infrastructure and mobile computing allows faculty and students to have technology on-demand providing a robust complement to the traditional computer lab.
Description
We will explore a service in its third year at Carnegie Mellon called, "Virtual Clusters." This service supports 3 models of mobile and wireless computing facilities: required academic need, optional non-academic use and experimental handheld pc use (currently in pilot phase). We will also review: the service model, problems encountered, features and benefits, issues behind implementation and maintenance and their resolution.
Lab managers, instructional technology specialists and faculty considering wireless technology will be interested in this presentation.
Academic Based Need Model: the Undergraduate School of Business Virtual Computer Lab
Although the name of the facility indicates a particular school or department, the name describes location. This service is available at no charge to all members of the campus community where they may be able to checkout a wireless-enabled laptop for a 3 hour period. It is designed to turn a lecture hall into a computer lab classroom for classes of up to 50 students without the significant cost of installing appropriate power and data lines and furniture to support desktop computers. The software installed are basic productivity packages: Windows 2000, Office 2000, Access, Visio, web browser and an email client.
Non-Academic Based Need Model: the University Center Virtual Computer Lab The University Center is the campus crossroads that promotes learning, social interaction and recreation. By installing a Virtual Cluster at this site, we have been able to provide a "virtual kiosk" for email and web browsing. These laptops are available for a 2 hour checkout period and are also available at no charge to all members of the campus community. The software installed are basic connectivity applications: web browser and email client. Recently, we added Microsoft Office at the request of users.
Experimental Model: Handheld Andrew Distribution Service/Virtual Computer Lab
The Handheld Andrew project was launched to incorporate handheld pc devices into a ubiquitous computing environment. While still in pilot stages, we have been able to provide classes with a semester-long checkout thus allowing students to integrate mobile computing into more of their daily activities.
Critical to the basic function of all of these models is the need for a central hub for checkout and check-in of equipment. Thus making this service more resource intensive compared to a traditional cluster that can be available to students even while unstaffed. This hub is the core of activity for services: recharge batteries, basic troubleshooting, rebuilding software, etc. Additionally, close initial work with faculty is a requirement to properly support and improve this service. Finally, the users of the services must understand the responsibilities associated with participating in this program: while the equipment is checked out in their name, they may be 100% liable for financial repair or replacement.
In conclusion, this service has proven to be extremely successful with faculty, students and staff. To some extent, we have become victims of our own success. The general demand for these services have grown since the initial launch, yet we're still developing the support infrastructure. However, we can now provide computing resources when and where they are most needed significantly and gain more utilization of the campus technology infrastructure.