MoPo project overview
Contents
Project Management
Prof. Bernd Becker
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität
Faculty of Engineering
Georges-Koehler-Allee 51
79110 Freiburg im Breisgau
Starting Point
Current discussions about the lack of computer experts show that significant efforts are necessary to utilize all potential educational resources to alleviate this workforce deficit. To this extent, efficient information and communication infrastructures for teaching and studying are very important.
Based on the success and impressive growth that wireless and mobile communications have seen in the telecommunication industry, it is imperative to utilize this existing potential as early as possible to aid education at the university and to accelerate the convergence of cable and wireless networks.
The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Freiburg has developed the project "Mobile Pools" and is managed by Prof. Bernd Becker. The idea or concept of this project is to equip students in computer science and microsystems technology with portable computers.
We are convinced that Mobile Pools is a very attractive project from many perspectives, while playing a significant role in the research and education of all students. It complements other projects and activities of the Faculty of Engineering (VIROR, INTUG, virtual course of studies, Applied Computer Science course of studies, chipcard-project) in an ideal way and realizes, as far as we know for the first time in Germany, an overall concept, which in the opinion of experts will only gain in importance in the years to come. We expect an enrichment of the teachings provided here, increasing the attractiveness of our location.
Concept
Wireless and mobile communication technologies allow for so-called 'ad hoc' communication. This allows for a spontaneous, flexible and content independent form of communication.
Since this communications network is integrated into the surroundings of an appropriate environment, various new concepts and ideas to increase the quality of studying and research at the university have emerged.
The faculty intends to explore new paths in the education of students and to realize the potential of the mentioned environment with so-called 'Mobile Pools' (instead of the so far usual fixed computer pools for the training of students).
The idea of mobile pools is to make a notebook available for each student of the faculty in the beginning of the first term as cheap as possible. These notebooks will be connected to the university-network using PCMCIA wireless LAN cards. Software exercises carried out during the term will utilize this network and student's notebooks. In addition, efficient servers will provide the needed tools and the means.
The following steps are necessary for the realization of a mobile pool:
- Realization of WLANs
The existing computer network has to be extended by a faculty wide wireless component based on current WLAN-technologies (Wireless Local Area Networks).
Current wireless communication network components have a network bandwidth of 11 Mbit/s and a range of up to several hundred meters. This network uses the open or free 2,4 GHz ISM-Frequency band. WLAN-system consists of two main components:
- Access Points: These provide a connection point for wireless network cards while connecting the WLAN to an existing, fixed wired network.
- WLAN-PC-Cards: These are wireless network cards, which contain a wireless module and are inserted into the PCMCIA-slot of a notebook or an appropriate PCI slot of a PC.
In arrangement with the computing center of the university the Faculty of Engineering is gradually being made WLAN capable. At the moment, working rooms for students and the foyer of lecture halls are being equiped with the necessary infrastructure.
- Installation of a high-performance SW-Server
An high-performant server provides the notebooks with the required software. Besides operating system software, it also includes and other teaching and learning aids, which are necessary in connection with the varying lectures.
- Supply of Mobile Computer Systems
Notebooks (and other mobile computer systems such as Handhelds and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants)) can use services and access information, which are supplied by the internet, independent of their location with help of the WLAN.
The equipment such as notebooks required by the students for teaching and learning aids is an integral part of the concept. The Institute of Computer Science has provided the financing to realize and evaluate these concepts within the restrictions of a one year pilot project. During the course of the pilot project, a frame work and concepts capable of maintaining and implementing the project in the future are to be developed based on the practical experiences gained in the daily operation of a mobile pool.
Realization
The realization of this concept takes place within the bounderies of a one year pilot project (beginning in the winterterm 2000/2001). The concept is financed by the Institute of Computer Science of Albert-Ludwigs-University and supported by special funding provided by MWK Baden-Württemberg and consists of voluntary student participations. Precisely: The financing is provided by the student, the institute, and finally by an attractive offer of an industrial supplier. Each supplies one third of the total funding.
The local presence of the partnerfirm, which guarantees direct contact and short-term reactivity, has always been and still is of special impotance for the realization and success of the pilot project. As a result of the offers made and the negotiations which were carried out, Fujitsu-Siemens was awarded the contract in December 2000.
We expect a close and trustful cooperation with the chosen partner and see the opportunity to realize a modern educational concept.
In the course of the cooperation we are open to research orientated projects, for example in the sector of network security or the development of teaching and learning software.
Objectives
Some primary advantages as a result of the concept of 'Mobile Pools':
- A very essential element is the active inclusion of the students by solving problems in computer science and the self-responsibility of the students from day one. The students feel responsible for their own computers and are confronted with questions about the use of computers in teaching and education right from the start. The costs of taking care of the classical computerpools drop while the competence of students in working with computers and in managing them increases.
- Information systems which are located inside the network are usually independent from the location of the students and employees (for example mobile access to teaching and learning systems). Flexible teamwork and 'ad hoc' communication without a fixed infrastructure are possible. This makes it possible for groups of students to exchange data from different locations and work together on projects.
- Seminar rooms, lecture halls and other common rooms can be used as additional working rooms outside of normal operating hours.
- Notebooks are very flexible to work with during lectures, seminars and practical training. Multimedia teaching and learning forms are supported and complemented:
For example the material can be downloaded from the server directly to ones own notebook. Practical assignments can be prepared on the notebook (with suitable tools) and the solutions can be checked, exchanged and completed online during the lecture. Diagnosis and servicing of complicated technical systems can already be trained with the help of modern technology during education. - Short-term or transitional communication equipment that is needed, e.g. for carrying out conferences, workshops or other meetings can be provided without any difficulties.
Besides the already named primary objectives, the concept of 'Mobile Pools' has many other possible applications, which reach much further than just the use in the university sector. For example: Examination of scenarios of mobile access to (multimedia) information systems, e.g. at train stations, airports, fairs or in museums, for the analysis and integration of handhelds and PDAs, experiments for testing of safety concepts, management of industrial systems with using mobile equipment.
