Table of Contents:
- What is the Mobility Project?
- Is the iPod Touch the only platform involved?
- Can the iPod Touch be upgraded to a model with more
storage capacity?
- What happens if a unit is defective?
- What happens if the unit is stolen?
- What is involved in taking part in the pilot?
- How does a participant confirm participation and choose
the unit to be provided?
- Can anyone with an iPod Touch or iPhone 3G join the
pilot?
- How do participants obtain their units?
- Is there a resource for participants if questions
arise?
Q: What is the Mobility Project?
A: The Mobility Project is a new initiative of the University of
Maryland that is sponsored by the Office of the Sr. Vice President of
Academic Affairs and Provost, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and
the Office of Information Technology. It is a pilot program to enhance
the student education experience by examining the role that mobile
Internet access devices might have in the future of instruction, learning
and the social growth of students on campus.
The pilot for the Project begins in the Fall 2008 semester. Incoming
freshmen from the Banneker-Key and Maryland Incentive Awards Program are
being provided an iPod Touch mobile device or, by incurring certain costs
(see below), an iPhone 3G. Applications and tools for accessing class
schedules, e-mail, phone directory information, location and directions
details are being developed for use on these devices. The students and
selected faculty will determine the value of having such a device for use
in all aspects of their campus life, and assess its effectiveness via
focus groups and seminars.
The pilot is scheduled to run during the 2008-2009 scholastic year.
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Q: Is the iPod Touch the only platform involved?
A: Students have an option to receive an iPod Touch or an iPhone 3G. These
two models will be the platforms on which we concentrate during the pilot
year. As we expand our knowledge on the use and value of the Project, we
expect to include other mobile platform models.
What are the costs to students who take part in the pilot?
No financial costs are incurred by those who choose the iPod Touch.
Students who opt for the iPhone 3G will be required to activate their units
with AT&T, the wireless phone service provider for the iPhone 3G, and will be
responsible for all monthly account charges. AT&T will require a two year
contract for a voice and data service plan that should cost approximately
$60.00 per month.
All costs incurred using either unit for online purchases of any type are
the responsibility of the student.
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Q: Can the iPod Touch be upgraded to a model with more storage
capacity?
A: Not through the pilot program. A student may use a 16GB or 32GB iPod
Touch in the pilot but is responsible for purchasing such a model on his/her
own.
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Q: What happens if a unit is defective?
A: The OIT Warranty Desk, located in the Computer and Space Sciences
building inside the OIT Help Desk, will handle all defective units for those
students in the Fall 2008 pilot. Models that need repair will be replaced.
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Q: What happens if the unit is stolen?
A: A student must file a report with University Police withn fifteen (15) days of the theft in the event
of a stolen unit. S/he should then e-mail the report number to
um-admit@umd.edu. Theft replacement consideration will be provided only through the Fall, 2008 semester. Devices are the sole responsibility of the student participant after that time.
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Q: What is involved in taking part in the pilot?
A: Participants will be requested to take part in a small number of
pilot group meetings during the Fall semester to share feedback. There may
also be focus group interviews and/or the opportunity to work on projects
designed to develop tools and applications for the units. Additional
activities are being planned for the Spring 2009 semester.
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Q: How does a participant confirm participation and choose the unit to
be provided?
A: Prior to coming to campus, students accepting a place in the pilot
must indicate a platform of choice by completing the form at
http://mobility.umd.edu/. They must
also indicate their agreement to participate by clicking in the appropriate
box. Because students identified for admission to the pilot receive the unit
as part of their scholarship award, there is no requirement for a recipient
to participate in the pilot activities.
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Q:Can anyone with an iPod Touch or iPhone 3G join the pilot?
A: During the Fall semester, the project is limited to those incoming
freshmen mentioned above. Expanding the pilot participation group will be
considered for the Spring, 2009 semester.
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Q: How do participants obtain their units?
A: All units were distributed during move-in at the end of August.
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Q: Is there a resource for participants if questions arise?
A: Yes, this website
(http://mobility.umd.edu) contains
documentation and other valuable information. Participants should also view the Initiative "course" located in ELMS. In addition, the OIT Help Desk
(http://helpdesk.umd.edu) is available
for walk-in or telephone troubleshooting of participant problems. The OIT
Warranty Desk, located inside the Help Desk, will handle hardware defects,
failures, etc.
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