Computer Purchase
ISU/UNL College of Veterinary Medicine Mobile Computing Initiative February 20, 2009
ISU/UNL College of Veterinary Medicine Mobile Computing Initiative
February 13, 2009
Faculty at ISU and UNL want to provide you the best education possible. They realize that today information technology is an essential tool for veterinarians. Our faculty members are implementing valuable new teaching techniques and methods in the classroom. Some examples include:
- Real time polling to gauge student learning in a lecture
- Virtual microscope slides that allow more portability and easier discussion
- In class access to extensive online resources
- Color images of relevant anatomy or disease examples
- Digital movies of patients and procedures
- Use of digital ink to take notes on instructors presentations
- Audio files for feedback on student work
- Access to classroom capture files for lecture review
- Enterprise wireless in our classrooms
The wealth of digital veterinary information and the advantages of portable computers combined with wireless networking have led us to conclude that these tools are an essential part of the veterinary educational process. That is why all students entering the College of Veterinary Medicine and are required to purchase a mobile computer through a college-negotiated bulk purchasing agreement. This year, the computer to be purchased is the Fujitsu T5010 tablet PC. The total cost of the basic computer configuration, 4-year warranty, external backup USB hard drive, the Microsoft® Office® Professional suite, and tax will be approximately $2500.00.
Basic Tablet Configuration
The itemized costs and basic configuration are outlined in the enclosed order form. Entering students are required to purchase this basic configuration.
Students may add the following options:
Additional AC Adapter
Fujitsu port replicator (docking station)
Additional 2GB memory module
Second Fujitsu notebook battery
Options purchased as a part of your initial order will be covered under the 4-year maintenance warranty. Options purchased later will have only the warranty available at the time of purchase. The bulk contract does not allow for an upgrade in processor speed and the T5010 tablet supports only the video card that comes with the system. The battery that comes with the T5010 tablet has a 1 year warranty and Fujitsu replacement batteries can be purchased from various web sources as needed at a currently available price of approximately $89. Students are advised that the Fujitsu tablet will come with Microsoft Windows XP Professional Tablet. Your Fujitsu will come with a license to run both Windows XP Tablet and Microsoft Windows VISTA business. Additional RAM can be purchased at anytime; however it is recommended to be purchased with your tablet.
Tablet Ordering Process
We will be placing a bulk order in late May early June. You will receive an email with instructions on how to place your tablet order. The order process will be done online through the college website http://vetmed.iastate.edu/about/services/information-technology/mobile-computing-initiative. If you have any questions between now and then please contact Joshua Mack atjcmack@iastate.edu or 515-294-1359.
Processing of Tablets
Tablets ordered for Lincoln students will be shipped directly to UNL from ISU and once they are received, the UNL staff will process the tablets for distribution to Lincoln students the first week of classes. Tablets ordered for Ames students will be shipped to ISU and ISU staff will process the computers during the summer for distribution to students during Fall orientation.
Ames and Lincoln students will have access to loaner computers should they experience any maintenance issues with their tablets. UNL and ISU desktop support staff will address maintenance issues for their respective students and will interact directly with CDW-G and Fujitsu for depot maintenance support services. UNL and ISU desktop support staff members will cooperate closely with each other to insure that students in Ames and Lincoln have the best possible maintenance support.
Frequently Asked Questions
If my tablet is received in June, why do I have to wait until August to receive it?
There are several reasons for this. First, it takes our technical support staff several weeks to configure and operationally check all these computers. Second, these computers are purchased with university funds and ownership rests with the university until students sign a legal transfer of ownership document when they pick up their computers. By distributing the tablets at orientation our technical staff members can confirm with each student that they have received the equipment they ordered and that it is functioning properly and should any issues arise they can generally be corrected on the spot. Third, the tablets are set up for operation with the network at each institution and the first time students log into their system it must be connected to the local network. Fourth, for various reasons some students who intended to come to school do not, and waiting to distribute computers at orientation forgoes difficulties associated with this circumstance. Finally, the vendor will only ship computers to the universities and since we have students from literally all over the country, not all students are able to stop by and pick up their computers and we do not have the resources to ship systems all over the country and it simply would not be fair to allow some students to get their computers sooner than others.
Why do I have to buy this specific computer model?
You may already own a mobile computer, leading you to wonder why you should be required to invest in a new one. This computer will become part of your every day learning environment, just like your textbooks or class notes. Because we view your tablet computer as an essential piece of educational equipment, we are committed to ensuring that you are fully supported by the College's Academic IT. We are hiring additional people to meet these needs. Unfortunately, it would not be feasible to provide optimal support for multiple computer makes and models.
How will I be charged for this computer? Will financial aid be available?
After you are admitted to veterinary school, a charge for the cost of the computer will be placed on your University Bill for the Fall Semester. As an entering VM student, the cost of the computer has already been factored into the financial aid award offer which you will receive in May detailing the financial aid which you are eligible to receive.
What about printing?
Currently in Ames there are a number of high speed laser printers (both color and black & white) available in the college for students to print to. In Ames student computer fee funds are used to pay for the printers and the paper and toner. Black & white printing has no additional cost and students are allowed up to 200 pages of free color printing each year. Additional color printing is available for $0.10/ page. At UNL charges for printing are $0.09/page. Each student is given a one time credit of $2.50 on the N card for Uniprint. Information concerning Uniprint can be found at: http://www.unl.edu/cmplabs/ .
Will I have internet access?
In Ames all of our major classrooms and many of the public spaces in the veterinary college and throughout the campus have high speed wireless access. All students can access the network and the internet through these connections. At UNL virtually every building on both campuses in Lincoln are set up for wireless access to the University. Information concerning wireless access at UNL East Campus can be found at: http://is.unl.edu/networking/east.wireless-map.shtml.
Who should I contact for more information?
In Ames, if you have any questions regarding the mobile computing initiative, please contact the manager of our Academic IT Joshua Mack atjcmack@iastate.edu or 515-294-1359 and at UNL please contact Roxane Ellis at: rellis1@unl.edu or 402-472-8457.
