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| 08-20-2002 | Previous edition: 08-19-2002 |
        
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Printer-friendly version New class tries to make life easier
Features Editor A new class is working to make life easier for students. Students in ECE 495M: "Mobile Communications Projects" are writing software that will allow college students to use wireless hand-held and pocket computers to tell them everything from where the nearest printer is to their location to how much their library fine is as they walk by the library to how much money they still owe on tuition as they walk by the bursar's office. The class, which is being offered for the first time this semester after a trial run was conducted during the spring semester last school year, is being outfitted with the latest technological equipment, donated by Hewlett Packard, and a $150,000 development grant given by Proctor & Gamble. "They sort of see us as an opportunity to gain some insight, some new ideas that they might not have thought of," said Edward Delp, professor of electrical and computer engineering and one of the instructors for the course. The class, which approximately 30 students are enrolled in this semester, is being offered only to juniors and seniors at this time because a background in computer programming is helpful in excelling in the course. A team of three professors will teach the class, acting more as advisors for the students than teachers. "(The students last semester) learned a lot, but they also complained that they worked really hard," said Jan Allebach, professor of electrical and computer engineering and instructor for the class, of the course that includes projects that are student driven. Students in the class will be required to design software that could be compatible with the wireless system, prepare a plan and give a presentation of their plan just as they would do if they were working for a real engineering firm. "(Students) will certainly have a new type of experience," Delp said. Students in the class will be issued a laptop, a hand-held and a pocket computer for the semester and will be encouraged to use them for their own needs in order to develop new ideas and innovations. "I think it's kind of a state of the art thing that we're doing," Allebach said. Delp said that Purdue is working toward networking the campus for wireless communication and that, by the end of the year, such conveniences such as sending a document from one's hand-held to the nearest computer will be a reality. "The goal is to encourage mobile technology," said George Chiu, associate professor of mechanical engineering and instructor for the course. Printer-friendly version |
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