Utilization Of A Mobile Computing Environment

UTILIZATION OF A MOBILE COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT

UTILIZATION OF A MOBILE COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT Presented by: Hari Krishna .K, Uma Mahesh .J. St.JOHNS COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, JNTU, YERRAKOTA, YEMMINGNUR, KURNOOL (DIST), A.P. Email ID: [email protected] [email protected] Abstract: The use of computers is ubiquitous in today’s

business

communities,

and

is

becoming so in education.

Introduction: The laptop computer has been available for more than ten years. It started out as a heavy

However, this increased use has led to more

unit with an inferior liquid crystal screen.

problems

strapped

Today laptop computers may have 10.5 inch

educational institutions through the ever

diagonal screens with full color and

increasing demand for space and the

computational speeds challenging the 150

continuous obsolescence of equipment.

MHz of their desktop cousins.

for

financially

It is obviously time to think of student

Further, such computers can weigh less than

ownership as a means to meet demands for

six pounds and have a keyboard of near

computer use, as costs of individual

standard size.

machines are falling below charges passed on by educational institutions.

modem and CD player and be equipped with

This paper presents a proposal for student ownership

of

laptop

computers

and

networking through wireless communication as the environment of choice.

These computers may have a fax, a built-in wireless infrared communications. While the top-end laptops rival their top-end desktop cousins in costs, like the lower-end desktops it is possible to purchase a black and white 66 MHz, 8 to 16 MB RAM laptop for around $1000.00 with many if not all of the features mentioned above.

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UTILIZATION OF A MOBILE COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT While a large amount of money as an additional college expense, compared to the costs of textbooks at $80.00 to $100.00 each

laptop as the computer of choice. What is the Need?

and even in-state tuition at a public owned

Engineering skills demanded today require

school, the cost over the four to five years of

the ability to synthesize basic principles into

a B.S. degree in engineering is relatively

design and to be able to analyze design

small.

solutions to points, ultimately leading to a

The textbooks for the degree can easily amount to $3000.00 and the tuition to more

economically in the marketplace. The development of this type of knowledge

than 20,000.00! Further, even a relatively slow 66 MHz computer can be an adequate tool for the word-processing and spreadsheet uses we will all need throughout our lives in an increasingly technological computer-based world.

in our students requires us to provide them with more hands-on experiential learning. Further, today’s engineers need better communication

and

teamwork

skills.

Today’s communication is done not only by writing and public speaking but also through multimedia presentations.

Thus, we can successfully argue for computer ownership for our engineering students and perhaps for all of the future

All of these communication skills need to be developed. Engineering

college bound students. The next major question that we may ask is what is the need, followed closely by what is the value.

skills

can

be

developed

interactively on the computer. Indeed it has been proposed to develop courses in basic mechanics, statistics, and dynamics and deliver them via the internet.

After that is the more serious question of whether we are prepared in higher education to take full advantage of the benefits of computers

high quality product which can compete

and information

technology.

In this paper, we will attempt to address all three questions briefly, and speak for the

The same is true of basic circuit analysis and thermodynamics, to name a few. These courses follow to a large degree the proposed self-paced learning programs of the late 1960’s but have the ability to be corrective.

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UTILIZATION OF A MOBILE COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT That is, errors can be detected in problems

What should the classroom for an

being worked and hints be provided to

interactive practicum look like?

redirect students to a path leading to an

A good example was recently described by

acceptable solution.

G.D. Stetten and S.C. Guthrie in the October

To take advantage of these learning aids

1995 T.H.E. Journal.

requires a computer.

There they describe the “Wireless Infrared

To experience the

design process as practiced today requires not only an adequate knowledge of the engineering

sciences,

but

a

working

knowledge of the design tools currently in practice.

Networking Duke Paperless Classroom.” Thirty-six students per year over a two year span

learned

introductory

computer

programming (C-language) and numerical methods using student purchased Macintosh

These are ever increasing by design software

Powerbooks equipped with a Photonics

and symbolic languages.

device called a cooperative transceiver.

Certain packages, available for use on a PC

The powerbooks were the now obsolete

(DOS or Macintosh), have reached such

(speed-wise) models 165c and 520. The IR

standard usage that they are specifically

devices were used to form a local talk

mentioned as required skills in employment

network.

advertisements.

The teacher’s computer was attached to a

Thus, they are introduced briefly in the classroom, and the students are left to learn them on their own.

computer graphics projector. Using Farallon’s Timbuktu Pro software, any student’s screen could be projected onto

They might be learned more effectively with

the instructor’s screen or the students could

computers in the classroom, where an

access the instructor’s screen.

application is introduced and put into practice in the sort of practicum that was in place in the 1950’s and 1960’s, the practicum

laboratory

of

geometry and drafting courses.

descriptive

In effect, the whole class could work on projects via the computer in a physically unaltered classroom. Stetten and Guthrie point to the fact that the use of student owned notebook computers

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UTILIZATION OF A MOBILE COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT offer the students important advantages over

campus wide networks or the internet and

university maintained clusters.

World Wide Web.

These include increased accessibility, and

Data bases can be reached from anywhere.

greater

The often used Thomas Register will soon

pride

and

responsibility

of

ownership.

be available to users seeking vendors for

The portable laptop allows students direct

products, and catalogs will soon follow.

acquisition of knowledge in classrooms,

In the classroom, the use of standard lecture

libraries and laboratories throughout the

format will continue in part, but will use the

entire campus.

computer screen instead of the blackboard, quest for

thereby allowing students to concentrate on

knowledge allows students unlimited access

the material being presented rather than on

to their own individual environment as well

writing notes.

as in special classrooms for notebook

Problem sessions, or difficulties in learning

computers, if such courses are included in

can be communicated with a degree of

the curriculum.

privacy not found elsewhere, as a student

Carrying

a laptop

on

the

What is the Value? The value of a mobile computing scheme for the students was treated briefly under the need mentioned above.

can indicate a difficulty electronically which would be noted by the instructor ‘who could place the student screen on the projector. Sharing of projects can also be achieved, and

student

originated

The value is through enhanced learning and

demonstrations/presentations can be more

the better use of space, and overall cost of

accessible.

education to the public.

The paperless mobile computing classroom

The value of accessibility to gaining

does not have to be a laboratory for a single

knowledge is obvious. On the campus, the

group.

portable computer is a better means of accumulating facts and impressions. However, through the often built-in modem,

It can be used for a wiring studio to teach music

composition,

visual

arts,

and

architecture, where software exists.

it is a link to other electronic information via

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UTILIZATION OF A MOBILE COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT Similarly it can be used in the sciences and

flexibility of viewing the videos on one’s

mathematics.

own schedule.

human

In history, geology, and

physiology,

which

are

rapidly

undergoing a revolution in computer-based education, the universal wireless classroom can also be utilized.

A disadvantage is the lack of personal interaction in real time. The availability of PICTURETEL and other compressed video presentations overcomes the interactive shortfalls but limits the

Is Higher Education Ready for a Mobile

flexibility of time.

Learning Environment?

The solution of at-call interactive learning is

The question of whether higher education is

still not available; however, it could be to a

ready for an increased use of technology in

great extent through the World Wide Web.

the classroom and more particularly,

The

whether engineering education is ready is a

software which foresees most problems is an

difficult one.

expensive proposition, as typically a great

It is obvious that the need for distance

amount of time is required to prepare for a

education and more economical offerings of

single one hour presentation.

education are being demanded by both the

At this time, a program is in the planning

taxpayer and the learner.

stage

In 1967 at Colorado State University video-

Sciences, Business and Engineering. A

based delivery of courses was developed to

common course of study is planned for the

meet the needs of professionals in business

freshman year involving 100 students each

and engineering.

and the following courses: Expository

Such courses still continue, and the National Technical University was an outgrowth of the CSU program. Such educational opportunities have both advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include the use of noted

development

of

involving

truly

Liberal

interactive

Arts,

Natural

Writing, Multi-media Ethics in a Business Society, History of Technology, Calculus, Statistics, Introduction to Computers, Introduction

to

Business

and

Product

Realization. The latter course has all of the segments

of

an

engineering

product

realization course, but concentrates on the

lecturers far from their homes, and the 5

UTILIZATION OF A MOBILE COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT processes. It is aimed at understanding marketing, conceptualization, preliminary design, production method selection, final design, production, distribution, customer acceptance evaluation, product evolution and final product disposal. It is to be taught using groups (teams) of students of mixed academic backgrounds so that each can see the role of those with different backgrounds. Conclusion: It is time for universities to take full advantage

of

the

electronic/computer

revolution. Laptops prove the greatest versatility to the knowledge seeker.

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