Mobile Computing Initiative
Goal Statement
At the conclusion of this project, the working group will bring
a recommendation to the administration that details how mobile
computing will be leveraged to support the scholarship and academic
life of the student. We are aware that an increasing number of
students bring mobile devices to campus. This study will
examine the benefit of leveraging student provided devices,
providing standardized devices for student use, requiring standard
devices for purchase or some variance between these scenarios as a
model for implementation.
The project methodology will include online survey instruments,
focus group discussion, presentations to advisory and governing
bodies, field research and literature review. In addition, we will
incorporate findings and best practices from the COPHS mobile
computing initiative.
Project Timeline
The project team is currently conducting field research and
literature reviews of mobile computing initiatives at other higher
education institutions. The team will be conducting an online
survey of faculty, staff, and students after the Thanksgiving Break
to collect opinions regarding the use of mobile computing on
campus. During the month of January 2011, additional information
will be collected via the conducting of focus groups for faculty,
staff, and students on campus.
Using all of the information collected from the survey, focus
groups, field research, and literature reviews, a variety of
possible mobile computing options for Butler will be defined. These
options will be presented across campus to a wide variety of
established advisory and governing bodies, including administrative
committees, student boards, and town hall meetings. The feedback
regarding the possible options will be used to develop a final
proposal that will be presented to the appropriate governing bodies
in May 2011.
Any mobile computing plan that is selected will not be
implemented until the 2013-2014 academic year to allow sufficient
time to notify all incoming students about the impact that the plan
may have on them.
Online Survey
During the time when the online survey is available, a link to
the survey will appear here.
Contact
For more information about this project, please contact the
Center for Academic Technology (x8575).