Proposal

Narrative

About 10 years ago, the Technology Fee Committee funded the mathematics department to create an instructional computer lab (room SE 271), a year later a second instructional computer lab (room SE 340/350), and two years later a third instructional computer lab (room SE 314), in order to improve student achievement in lower-division mathematics and statistics courses. (Funding was also obtained from the Department of Mathematical Sciences and the Dean of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science for space renovation as well as support for student assistants to aid the learning of students in these labs.) The goal has been to expand use of a hybrid model of teaching, in which some lecture time is exchanged for laboratory time where students can work on homework online and obtain immediate feedback from teaching assistants and the instructor. Courses supported in these computer labs under this model of teaching include Intermediate Algebra (MAT 1033), College Algebra (MAC 1105), and Introductory Statistics (STA 2023). The computer lab in room SE 271 is also use for lectures in Introduction to Computational Mathematics (MAD 2502), Probability and Statistics for Engineers (STA 4032), Applied Statistics 1 STA 4234), and various undergraduate upper division and graduate courses in statistics and the department’s Master of Science in Teaching degree program. The current total demand for all these courses is currently in excess of 6800 students per academic year.

Facilities

No renovations to the facilities are required in this proposal.

Hardware Requirements

A smart board and a lectern with a microphone will be required for SE 314. This system will comply with OIT standards. A detailed estimate is attached. The total estimated budget for this room is $44,270.04. A laser projection system update will be required in SE 271. A detailed estimate is attached. The total estimate for this room is $36,619.89. New computers are needed in SE 330/340/350. We are requesting 150 OptiPlex 7460 AIO computers with 22” monitors and two OptiPlex 7460 AIO computers with 25” monitors for the instructors/tutors. This system will comply with OIT standards. We budget $1,465 per computer. Total for 150 computers will be $219,750.

Software Requirements

The computers in SE 330/340/350 need Faronics Insight software and deep freeze installed to run properly. Other OIT standard software will be installed on all lab computers, including Internet Explorer, Chrome, etc. Total estimated costs for software is $7,203.00 OIT software needs to be updated for the existing computers in SE 271. The estimated cost is $2,000.

Personnel Costs

One time funds for OPS/student assistants to assist with installation of the computers in SE 330/340/350 are being requested. The estimated one-time cost is $6,240.00.

Other Costs

The tables in SE 314 need to be switched for wider tables, with dividers between stations installed. Estimate is attached. The total estimated costs are $5,635.42. The white board in SE 271 needs to be replaced. Replacement glass boards have been estimated to cost $2,445.25. The floor panels in SE 271 are in need of repair or replacement. We are estimating a cost of $10,000 to cover this.

Timeline

We want to proceed so that the lab is available for fall semester of 2019. Outfitting of hardware should be completed in May, June and July to permit sufficient testing and to be ready for the fall semester.

Sustainability

The Department of Mathematical Sciences would continue to fund the instructors for the courses and any graduate or undergraduate teaching assistants that facilitate learning in these spaces.

Resource Matching

Graduate teaching assistants and undergraduate assistants from the Department of Mathematical Sciences will continue provide the teaching assistance in the labs.

Implementing Organization

The IT staff from the College of Science will assist with the installation and implementation of the hardware and software. The Department of Mathematical Sciences will support all personnel and overall maintenance of the computer labs.