Are laptops really the best technology to offer?

Since Rose-Hulman started its laptop program in the mid 1990's, not much has changed in the way technological developments are used. Students receive laptops upon entering the school as freshmen and desktop computers are available in all of the laboratories. Now, ten years later, the question must be asked - is campus moving in the right direction technologically? The Academic Computing Environment Review Commission (ACERC), headed by associate professor of Mathematics David Rader, is a group of faculty, staff, and students whose sole purpose is to answer that question.

The ACERC starts by looking at what Rose already has in the way of technology; such as required laptops for students, desktop computers in laboratories, types of software used in courses, and the projector systems in place in various classrooms around campus. The committee is currently in the process of evaluating what technology is the most effective and what does is not and are working toward making a recommendation for what our campus can do to move forward.

ACERC cannot do this without as much input as possible and is looking for student suggestions. "It's a process that affects everyone. We want to make sure every voice is heard," said Rader. To help accomplish this goal, a group has been started in the Angel system. It is called Academic Computing Environment and students can read minutes of meetings, see the list of community members, and write on a discussion board to leave thoughts and suggestions as to what they see is working and what could be improved. Their final recommendation has the potential to affect the entire campus community; they feel the entire campus should have the opportunity to voice an opinion.

The group can be accessed by logging into Angel and selecting "Find a Group," then typing "Academic Computing Environment" into the keyword search box.