Project #1: Computer Equipment for the MAGIS Program

Wheeling Jesuit is preparing to better serve the needs of students that have the potential and desire to succeed here, but have come from a weak school system, and are not fully prepared.  These students are in at least one remedial class (be it Reading, English, or Math) but with some help can be given the tools to succeed in our academic environment.

The technology component of this program is to integrate technology into their remedial classes, and teach them to become familiar with these same tools that our other undergraduate students rely upon.  Again, they  often come from weaker school systems that likely do not have the technology resources to prepare these students to make the most of what Jesuit has to offer.

These laptop computers will mirror what they will be using in their upper level math classes once they get to them (thus making them feel more comfortable, and better able to focus on the content of the lesson, not the learning curve of the technology).  They will be used to aid in developing reading, quantitative, and writing skills by allowing for group work in classrooms that are set up for group learning (and are not conducive to having computers as you would expect in a writing “lab”).

This laptop cart will be able to travel with the students to various classrooms - this will ease scheduling demands and restrictions for the MAGIS program, yet still allow them access to the appropriate technology.

A gift of $27,950 would allow for the purchase of the following equipment that is essential to fulfilling the vision of this MAGIS program: 
• A cart designed to house, charge, and travel with 20 laptops
• 21 macbook laptops (loaded with both Apple and Microsoft software to accommodate as many students as possible)
• 1 of these would be an instructor laptop that will allow for demonstration and facilitation. ($1,150 each)
• 1 wireless network laser printer to travel with the cart for writing classes - allows for in class printing and peer review ($700)
• 1 wireless network access point to travel with the cart to prevent these machines from overloading any access point they may be near which would result in a negative impact for other students utilizing the school's wireless connectivity ($1,500)
• 1 cart designed to house/charge laptops, printer, and access point ($1,600)

Project #2: New Software and Hardware “Mathematica” for the Math Department

The Mathematics Department conducts weekly lab sessions in most sections of Calculus and sophomore mathematics courses.  The principle software package is Mathematica, which is a computer algebra system.  In addition, the intermediate and upper level mathematics courses use this software and other software such as Excel and Geometer's Sketchpad for occasional use. Mathematica is a valuable tool for visualizing mathematical concepts especially 3 - D graphics and flow lines for solutions of mathematical models.  In addition, complex algebraic expansions can be computed quickly and then can be analyzed for patterns.

Generally, the students work in pairs at a laptop so that each student must be actively involved. Groups of 3 and even 4 students have occasionally  been required because of the size of the class and/or the number of available laptops.  The lab exercises are download from a folder in Blackboard and submitted for grading via the Digital Dropbox feature of Blackboard.

Each semester, there are two full sections of calculus and 2 sophomore sections of math in addition to the upper level math classes offered. Also, the current math faculty are experts in the use of the Mathematica software. One has over 20 years of experience teaching with the software, and another is a featured contributor to the program. The ideal class arrangement is two students per laptop.

The number of students in each class has increased however, and students are required to group 3 or 4 to a single machine. This is proving to be challenging. The laptops themselves are also in need of replacement to allow use of the newer Mathematica software.

There is supporting infrastructure in place for this project. Most classrooms have an instructor station with a projector and screen that will allow for instructor-led demonstrations and group learning in most of the campus classrooms. There is an existing laptop charging cart that is already owned by the department and would take minimal resources to adapt to the newer machines being proposed. The licenses for Mathematica are not platform specific – they can be used either in a Windows or Macintosh OS environment. There are several classrooms set up with tables that are ideal for use with this 'mobile lab' and group centered learning.

The successful completion of this project will allow the instructor to have a model that mimics those placed in the hands of students during class. The laptops would be loaded with both Macintosh AND Windows Operating systems and software so that any student or instructor will be comfortable in using them regardless of their background. These laptops when not in use by the math classes would also be available as a 'traveling lab' that may be used by other disciplines after the addition of departmental specific software. In this fashion, we will maximize the benefit and reach of your investment.

With a gift of $ 25,000 Information Technology Services will be able to help the Math department enhance the teaching of not only calculus, but also other upper level Mathematics courses. We are proposing the purchase of 16 laptops since some classes have nearly 30 students in them. The instructor would also have a comparable computer connected to the projection camera in the classroom.

The laptops suggested are 13” Macbooks. Each laptop would run $1,150 and is configured to meet current and future needs of the Math Department. The project will also include a cart used to house the laptops and charge them. This cart can be wheeled to any classroom, and allows for flexibility when rooms are scheduled. The remaining $7,600.00 would be used to increase the number of Mathematica licenses, purchase any hardware needed to upgrade the cart, make the laptops easily usable to the greatest number of students (external mice, full size keyboards, etc.) and ensure they have wireless access where used and the ability to print to a network printer.

Existing quotes and prices are only for project budgeting and planning purposes (their life is 30 days). Specifications will likely change before the project could be implemented – however, any change will be reviewed with the Math Department to ensure it is compatible with their teaching needs and methods.