Brief Overview

This project is investigating ways in which new and emerging technologies, such as multimedia laptop computers and wireless communication, can be used to substantially improve the way we deliver education. Such technologies have the potential to revolutionize teaching, technical presentations, and small group meetings by providing students or attendees with unprecedented on-line access to internet resources, live demonstrations, instructor notes/figures, and real-time interaction with the instructor or other students. Moreover, wireless communication provides a cost-effective way to make technology available in older buildings and environments where wired networks are difficult or simply too costly to install. However, several challenging problems must be solved before wireless classrooms and in-class computing resources can become beneficial instructional tools.

The grant has helped to establish a wireless classroom environment in which each student is provided with a laptop and a wireless network connection. This pilot project will allow UK to:

  1. Identify and solve the techncal challenges presented by wireless classroom, and, more importantly,
  2. Develop teaching techniques and methods that effectively use the technology to enhance the educational process.

    Although UK uses the environment to teach specific courses, the goal is to identify general techniques and methods that can be used effectively in a wide range of setting, such as elementary classes , graduate classes, technical presentations and departmental meetings.