Jeff McDonell, Director, Information Technology Services
University of Southern Queensland
Topic: Wireless Internet Appliances for Students
Abstract:
Online access for educational use is rapidly expanding and is the core of USQ's distance, on-campus and Internet learning programs. As online student-lecturer interaction, electronic journals, e-books and general web interaction increases, on-campus students face increasing competition for scarce computer laboratory resources.
USQ's approach is to empower students by facilitating simple mobile Internet browser devices through a wireless LAN infrastructure across all campuses. This paper talks about the challenges of establishing the wireless LAN infrastructure, sourcing and funding inexpensive Internet appliances, setting up robust backend servers and providing flexible access from off-campus, including local metropolitan access.