2004: Muhlenberg receives HP Technology for Teaching Grant
Assistant Professor Clif Kussmaul received a grant from Hewlett Packard that included 20 wireless laptops, a tablet PC, related hardware, and money to support students and faculty. The grant explores ways to improve open source collaboration tools.
This project will systematically extend open source collaboration tools, including groupware and content management systems to assess the effectiveness of "always available" wireless access and mass customization in Computer Science I and II, Chemistry I and Biology I. Chemistry I and Biology I represent Muhlenberg's largest lower division courses. Overall, 300 students will engage in the study; approximately 14% will be students with disabilities. In each phase, tools and technologies will be deployed to successively broader audiences. We will compare student and instructor satisfaction relative to traditional course delivery methods.
This project leverages existing expertise in innovative learning environments, mobile technology, support for disabilities, open source software, and product development to serve as a test bed for broader use of mobile technology at Muhlenberg and similar institutions.
Distinguishing features:
- Coordination and deployment across a heterogeneous mobile environment by OIT staff and faculty from Computer Science, Chemistry, and Biology who are proven innovators in technology
- Student projects in courses including Databases, Web Programming, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and interdisciplinary teams developing mobility-based assistive technologies
- Communication and collaborative learning in "virtual places"; transforming the internet from an information repository into a place to interact with others