Ten Years After: Drexel's Microcomputing Program
Journal article by John H. Gregory; T H E Journal (Technological Horizons In Education), Vol. 20, 1992
Journal Article Excerpt
Ten years after: Drexel's Microcomputing Program by John H. Gregory This year marks the tenth anniversary of Drexel University's Microcomputing Program, one of the nation's first programs aimed at putting a personal computer in the hands of every student and professor. Over the years, the computer has become an integral part of instruction, learning and campus living. Today, the Microcomputing Program makes Drexel one of the most progressive computer-using campuses in the nation, with students choosing Drexel, in at least some part, because of the computing capabilities offered to its students. An overview of the philosophy behind the Microcomputing Program and the forces that have shaped it over the past decade are worth sharing. *In the Beginning Drexel started the Microcomputing Program in 1982, just as computers were becoming an important tool in many careers. The program required all university professors and students to have personal access to a computer and a bundle of software packages to be utilized across all disciplines for teaching, research, writing, homework and communications. That same year, the university began researching curriculum integration. A committee was formed to select both the hardware and software applications to suit the long-term needs of the university, its faculty and students. After reviewing over 35 computer systems, the committee selected the newly available Apple Macintosh and a suite of software applications. Beginning with the freshman class in the fall of 1983, every entering under-graduate student was required to have personal access to a Macintosh and a bundle of common software. That first year of the program was unusual. The Macintosh was not publicly introduced until January of 1984 and Drexel did not receive its first 2,000 computers until March. When the computers did arrive, they came with MacWrite, MacPaint and Multiplan, representing every piece of commercial software available for the Mac. *How It Works Today Today the program is considerably more complex. Drexel now has over 12,000 Macintosh computers on campus, with an increasing number of those tied to the expanding campus network. Incoming freshman are sent information on the hardware and software packages available. Based on individual needs, students select the appropriate model and software package and return their requests to the university. With products selected in advance, the university is able to pre-sort orders, ensuring product availability in time for the new semester. Financing is also available to students. For the last several years, Drexel has offered several configurations of hardware each fall. While the university suggests several configurations, students are welcome to purchase any Macintosh they want as long as it meets the minimum standards set by the university; for 1992 that is 4MB of RAM and 40MB hard disk capacity. The software bundle has grown from the trio in 1984 to five "core" packages and one of 12 "optional" bundles in the fall of 1992. The core now comprises a standard array, including a word processor, spreadsheet, database, paint and CAD programs. Optional packages allow students to customize their software to their major. It can contain a programming language, higher-end (3D) CAD, page layout, statistical analysis, equation solver, mathematical text editor, utilities, a second spreadsheet, an interactive computer algebra system and anti-virus programs. Coupons for the optional software are only redeemable after the first two weeks of class to ensure that students have the chance to talk with the faculty before making their selections. The average retail cost of the software bundle (depending on the optional package selection) was $2,200. However, the cost of adding this software to the Macs distributed through Drexel is $380, a tremendous value to both faculty and students. We purchase portions of the bundle through Edutech, a software distributor that specializes in serving educational institutions, who is largely responsible for the flexibility and variety of the optional bundles. *Goals and Successes The goal of the Microcomputing Program was twofold. First, it was to integrate the computer into curriculum and have every student use it as an educational tool. Second, it was to have students come to view the computer as a productivity tool that they could use, not only in their college years, but also in their professional careers.It is that first goal that led Drexel to standardize on a single hardware platform and a common core of software. Every student should be prepared to walk into class and be assigned work that may involve a database program, a CAD package, a spreadsheet, etc. Every faculty member should assume that all students have access to a Macintosh and the ... |
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