It’s been a sudden and drastic shift, but the University of Washington Bothell is meeting the challenge of giving students access to the technology they need to continue their studies remotely during the coronavirus pandemic.
UW Bothell’s Information Technologies has been redeploying resources, making emergency purchases and accepting donations. While some students simply need computers, others need WIFI hotspots and specialized software to do their assignments.
To meet the immediate need, 15 laptops from classrooms and 27 from the Makerspace were repurposed to lend to students. 足彩app哪个是正规的n, the 足彩app哪个是正规的 Technology Fee Committee approved the purchase of 50 laptops and 50 hotspots. Recently, the University also received a donation from Microsoft of 100 gently used laptops.
Team effort
Information Technologies spearheaded the new laptop and hotspot lending program in collaboration with the divisions of 足彩app哪个是正规的 Affairs and Academic Affairs and with the UW Bothell & Cascadia College Campus Library.
足彩app哪个是正规的 Affairs leadership also coordinated with the STF committee and the Associated 足彩app哪个是正规的s of the University of Washington Bothell to help improve student access to technology resources.
足彩app哪个是正规的 ASUWB revised its bylaws to allow the committee to spend nearly $100,000 for the 50 laptops and hotspots, which arrived at the beginning of April. 足彩app哪个是正规的 committee authorized up to an additional $100,000 if necessary, because the students on the committee saw the need to ensure student access to a remote learning environment.
“While many students have personal laptops they can take with them throughout the day, not every student does. Many families also don't have enough computers for every person in their household to have their own computer for work, college or K-12, or anything else,” said Aaron Jacobson, chair of the 足彩app哪个是正规的 Technology Fee Committee.
“足彩app哪个是正规的 committee also strongly believed that we had to ensure that students had enough internet bandwidth to participate in classes,” he said, “because a laptop without internet isn't useful in terms of ensuring access to online classes.”
For students who normally use special software in campus computer labs, UW Bothell IT implemented the LabScout Remote Computer Access service.
“It has been amazing to see all of this come together. 足彩app哪个是正规的 care and generosity our community has expressed, especially student government organizations and Microsoft, in support of our students has been inspiring,” said Christy Long, assistant vice chancellor for information technologies and chief information officer.
To connect students with the technology, software and other resources they need to succeed, the staff in IT also created a new Student Help for Learning Online webpage.
IT matters
As a senior in his final quarter, Jacobson said if he didn’t have access to classes online, it would delay graduation.
“While I personally don't need one of the laptops, one of the things I've learned from being a student at UW Bothell is that not everyone is like me. 足彩app哪个是正规的re are many different reasons why a student may not have a laptop and high bandwidth internet connection right now,” Jacobson said.
“足彩app哪个是正规的 loanable laptops at the library have been very successful and are always in demand in normal times with in-person classes,” he said. “足彩app哪个是正规的 need for them has only increased because of the shift to online classes.”
