Dennis Dicks

Global Laptop U: a Case Study in Change Management Dennis Dicks

Global Laptop U Over 250 universities in North America offer academic programs via laptop computers or notebooks. This form of ?ubiquitous computing? began in the mid-1990s, as technology costs dropped and suppliers like IBM promoted the concept. The introduction of technologies for teaching requires systemic change in infrastructure, in the roles of support staff, and especially in the roles of teachers. For a ?Laptop U? operation to succeed, faculty have to modify their ?sage on the stage? role to participate in the development of multimedia materials and to mentor their students electronically. In 1995, the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University, Montreal, initiated strategic planning that led to the launch of a Laptop U program in 2000. This book describes how this substantial change management project began with the conversion of a typing pool into a centre for instructional development, involved faculty in the development of high-end multimedia materials, and culminated in the launch of a Global Aviation MBA. The book will interest administrators, ITC managers, and faculty members involved major projects integrating technology into teaching at any level.