Ocotillo Spotlight on Instructional Technology
Note: The Ocotillo Spotlight is no longer published, but all previous issues will remain on this site.
spotlight for April 2003
The April 2003 Ocotillo Spotlight focuses on the implementation and successes of a college-wide wireless network created at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Learn what motivated the college to take on this initiative and how faculty and students are taking advantage of using technology in "non-traditional computing spaces."
Chandler-Gilbert Goes Wireless!
written by Tom Foster, Mary McGlasson, Victor Navarro, and Pam Petty Chandler-Gilbert Community College
mary.mcglasson@cgcmail.maricopa.edu
When classes began this past August 2002, Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CCGC) had achieved fully installed wireless access throughout all three college campuses: Pecos, Williams, and Sun Lakes.  The planning and implementation came about because of the creative thinking and the remarkably effective collaboration between the faculty and technical staff at the college. Student, staff and faculty response to our wireless infrastructure has been enthusiastic.
A Brief History...
Our initial tentative steps with wireless technology took place in spatial isolation of one another: first the science labs, then a few of the rooms in our main classroom building. While the success of these pilots was largely responsible for the initiative for pervasive wireless at our college, another driving force was a well-timed Ocotillo Technology Visioning Forum with Phillip Parsons and Deepika Ross. From the standpoint of the architect, Parsons offered a glimpse of learning that takes place not only in but also outside the traditional classroom. One forum participant suggested we "rethink learning [to move it] outside the traditional confines of time and space." This forum had a dramatic impact on our thinking and planning, and cemented the group's commitment to a wireless college as the way to make the fullest use of present and future resources.
By the end of Summer 2002, Chandler-Gilbert had achieved fully installed wireless access throughout all three campuses of the college. We have now moved more closely toward our vision of the "social campus," where learning doesn't stop when students leave the physical confines of the classroom.
The Present
Pervasive wireless fosters learning without facility and time constraints. Wireless access creates a continuous internet-ready learning environment beyond the classroom experience, and allows students to collaborate  in places of their choice without a concern for network access. Chandler-Gilbert can now plan for more efficient space utilization because having a classroom with computers is no longer a constraint in scheduling computer-based courses.
Mobile carts with laptops are now used to create a computer-based learning environment as needed without expensive remodeling of existing structures. We are positioned to respond to the mobility demands of students, faculty, and the community. The whole campus can now be viewed as potential learning space; wireless extends learning to spaces inside and outside the facility. It also mirrors other public and private locations where wireless is available, so the experience of working in a wireless environment is transferable.
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- Economics - Students conduct country analysis research by accessing online sources such as the CIA Fact Book in their classroom as the instructor defines and explains the data.
- Biology - Students conduct computer-based lab assignments. One instructor has her students analyze digital brain images from the Visible Human Project at the National Institute for Health. Another has her students access microscopes on distant research campuses.
- History - Students access the Library of Congress American Memory Collection of primary source manuscripts, photographs, paintings and drawings to analyze developments in U.S. History.
- English and Humanities - Students engage in "webquests" to conduct online research, and synthesize their findings into their essays using MS Word.
- Library - Students work in research groups and access library collections using their personal laptops from any place in the library.
- Business - Marketing and General Business students evaluate e-commerce websites and make impromptu company updates as well as follow stock trends.
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Today, many CGCC students participate in learning activities that were formerly limited to computer labs. Students conduct "paired" research investigations, engage in "webquests," make presentations using materials stored in student shared space, access out-of-house libraries and document collections, participate in computer-based laboratories, create their own web pages, conduct field projects outside of the buildings, complete on-line assessments, collaborate on discussion boards, and much more. Students are able to complete these assignments in regular classrooms or even outside the classrooms using laptops with wireless access.
Faculty are also making extensive use of the wireless outside the classroom. As part of a pilot to study the more widespread use of laptops at our college this past year, those faculty members with the most pressing mobility needs (many of our faculty teach on multiple campuses) were given the opportunity to "trade in" their desktop for a laptop.
These instructors have found the combination of the mobile technology and the wireless access invaluable in planning and preparing for class, having greater flexibility to meet students, being able to discuss online projects and sources in any location, and of course, an increased ability to engage in "just-in-time" teaching. Faculty can now collaborate with students in informal settings, and both students and faculty have the freedom to accomplish their work in a mobile setting using a variety of wireless devices of their choice (i.e. laptop, PDA, tabletPC, etc.)
The Future - Moving Toward Universal Student Access
As of Fall 2002, students have been able to gain access to the wireless infrastructure using their own laptops. They can be seen working on-line in non-traditional spaces including the library, the courtyards, and even the parking lot!
One student said, "I'm so glad I found out about [wireless access]. I had seen it, but didn't know we could use it here." A faculty member wrote, "I had a student recently get set up for wireless access. Within 48 hours, he was bringing his computer to class and sharing with another student."
This Spring 2003, CGCC will conduct a series of small "wireless clinics" in the Student Center and in various courtyard areas. Students will be able to bring their laptops and obtain technical assistance to set up their own computers for wireless access.
 CGCC's Technical Support Services (TSS) has published a web page for faculty & staff to review technical setup, frequently asked questions, and usage guidelines:
http://www.cgc.maricopa.edu/wireless/index.html
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