South Dakota Board of Regents Mobile Computing Initiative

Working Groups

            During the initial taskforce meeting on February 4th, 2008, members identified a number of issues that would ultimately influence a successful system wide implementation of the mobile computing initiative.  These issues were classified into three general categories (Infrastructure, Training & Development, and Integration & Pedagogy), and working groups have been formed to develop work plans that would aid in addressing many of the questions that were raised. Resources for each of these working groups can be found at the following links.

Infrastructure - What type of physical device will be used?  What platform should be used?  Will lease programs be used or will programs be allowed to decide if it is more appropriate for their students to purchase the device?  Would serve based software be a viable option?  Could there be an opportunity to provide software imaging at a system level even without a lease program?  What considerations need to be made for the part-time, adult learners, and campus centers related to the MCI?  What sustainable funding sources will be available as the system moves forward?  Will we be able to provide the necessary technical support space?   What classroom equipment is necessary as we move forward?  What impact does this have on existing computer labs?

Training & Development – What additional training needs with existing technology support personnel require?  How does the selection of hardware/software influence these training demands?  Does training occur at the institutional or discipline specific level? Is it realist to expect faculty to be well trained in providing technical support for students?   What instructional technology support is necessary?  Is a centralized point of service the most optimal?

Integration and Pedagogy Issues – What is the most effective approach for obtaining faculty buy in?  What are the primary goals for integration – enhance learning, increase technology skills or both?  How should the MCI be rolled out – one class at a time, general education, specific programs?  How might we assess whether the MCI is influencing student learning?  How do we evaluate effective use of the tools selected?  What are best practices for transforming pedagogy with mobile computing devices?  What resources are available for demonstrating technology integration to hesitant faculty?