Classroom on Wheels (COW)

Equipment Description

The mobile cart has lockable doors providing storage for up to 16 laptop computers. The cart also contains a wireless network access point and a projector. If desired a portable projection screen is also available.

All computers are Dell Latitude D600 with Pentium M™ processors running at 1.6GHz, with 512MB of high speed DDR SDRAM Memory. The laptop PC contains a 40GB Hard drive installed with HSC-supported public site software, a 14.1 inch XGA display and an internal TrueMobile™1400 Mini-PCI Wireless Card capable of 802.11x operation. The 15 student laptops operates on internal 2 long life Lithium-Ion batteries providing up to 4 hours of continuous use when fully charged.

NOTE: The instructor’s laptop has a single battery which provides up to 2 hours of life on a charge. However, this laptop usually occupies the same table as the projector and both are typically connected to AC power using a power strip provided for this purpose, so the battery life is not usually an issue. The instructor’s laptop can be identified by the 8-24-10-24X DVD/CDRW Combo Drive that replaces the second battery.

A Cisco Air-AP1230A wireless network access point (WAP) is included on the mobile cart. The WAP configuration (802.11a) provides a fully encrypted network connection that does not interfere with existing wireless installations. With connection speed of up to 54Mbps the WAP is up to 5 times faster than older wireless technology.

The Dell 3200MP projector provides 1,300 ANSI lumens (max) with a 1800:1 contrast ratio. Its lightweight (3.5 lbs.) and compact design is easy to handle and supports S-Video, Composite Video (RCA), Component Video and analog as well as digital inputs. Native XGA (1024 x 768) resolution provides a good match for the laptops. The full feature remote also contains a laser pointer.

Reservation Procedures

A mobile computer classroom may be reserved a maximum of 5 times per semester for each class or event. Requests are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Requests for use beyond the maximum of 5 times will be placed on standby -- if the classroom computers have not been reserved by someone else 2 business days before the desired use, the reservation will be made and the requester notified.

NOTE: Reservations for a mobile computer classroom cannot be accepted less than 24 hours prior to the time needed.

To reserve the COW, email your request to COWherd@salud.unm.edu.

Please specify the following: Instructor’s name, class name, name of the faculty or staff member planning to pick up the COW, desired check out and return dates. Please include information regarding special software needs or other customization requests.

Equipment Pickup

HSLIC staff will check out the equipment to the UNM faculty or staff member specified in the request. That person is financially responsible for returning all equipment and so must be a UNM faculty or staff member, not a student. In order for the checkout to take place, they must be a registered borrower with the HSLIC Information Desk and must present a valid Lobo card or HSC ID badge at check-out.

The department borrowing the COW is entirely responsible for transport, deployment, and technical support while deployed. HSLIC staff may not be able to provide hands-on technical support so we recommend that a person from your department be designate the 'wrangler'. Since they will be responsible for setup and operation of the COW, we can provide some orientation with the COW here in the library. We will be available for telephone support while you have the COW.

All equipment must be returned to HSLIC and verified as present by an HSLIC representative. If an item is identified as missing, it will be noted at the time of return.

Please note: DO NOT save data to the portable laptop computers. All data will be erased when the units are returned to the HSLIC.