Cara A. Lane
ABSTRACT
The University of Washington (UW) has historically met students' general-access computing needs through a combination of large computing centers and distributed workstations. In June 2010, however, one of the two large general-access computing centers was closed. This closure presents an opportunity for the UW to reassess its model of providing computing services and to identify new opportunities for meeting students' evolving needs. While the UW will continue to maintain one general-access computing center and numerous distributed workstations, new spaces and services are being developed on campus that will support students' use of their own hardware (laptops, netbooks, or other devices).
In autumn 2009, UW Information Technology conducted both an online survey and a series of focus groups in order to increase our knowledge of how students currently use UW-provided and personal computers while on campus, the problems they encounter when using these resources, and their current and future needs. More than 3,250 students participated in our research. This paper will discuss research findings and recommendations. The UW is also improving student spaces and introducing new services in order to meet the needs identified by this research. Planned changes include: increasing wireless, electrical, and data capacity in several existing student spaces; designing a new library facility that supports both independent and collaborative activities; providing remote online access to high-end software; and introducing an online chat service for technical support
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Index Terms
- Campus learning spaces: meeting students' current and future needs
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