Now | Drexel University: Drexel University introduced a 24-hour, self-service vending machine located in the W. W. Hagerty Library that will dispense MacBooks for use by students, faculty and staff. Drexel is the third university on the East Coast to introduce the kiosk, which holds up to 12 MacBooks that could be checked out free by anyone with a Drexel ID for five hours.
10 comments:
I'm very doubtful about this idea. If this was something that let you take the laptop to different places, I can see it being useful. The thing here is, why not just put desktop computers in the library and let students use them? Also, carrying a laptop computer isn't THAT much of a burden. Yes, I understand that Drexel is in a kinda bad neighborhood in Philly, but, if you have your laptop in a bookbag and don't wave it around and make yourself an open target, and walk in a group to the library, there shouldn't be a problem. At first glance, a laptop dispenser seems nifty, but after reading about it, it really just seems wasteful. Laptops were made to be portable. If you can't take the laptop out of the library, then what's the point in using a laptop? The school's money would have been better invested in putting new desktop computers in place.
Well this is certainly a step toward "moderation," as you might say, but is that really the direction libraries should be going? The borrowable MacBooks, in my opinion, are a great idea, but that doesn't mean that libraries should be getting rid of the other resources they offer. Yes, libraries are places of learning, but one way of learning, and of being involved and focused on that learning, is through books. A library without books would hardly be a library at all; it would be missing its essence, a quintessential part that makes a library a library. It would be like saying here, have a theatre. But we're not going to put any actors in it, you have to experience the play some other way. I am all for libraries keeping with the times, as long as they also remember the past and don't lose their identities.
Although touted as a rather revolutionary idea, I fail to see how this is a drastic change from just having computer terminals sprinkled around the library. It's really not that special to be able to have a new way to use a computer in the library. Sure, it lets you not be constrained to a desk with a computer, but that's the price you pay for not bringing your own laptop. I doubt that the benefits of this program actually outweigh the costs. The concept of lending out equipment in an automated way is an interesting one though. Perhaps this idea would be better for more specialized equipment.
I really like where this idea came from, but the specific things that Drexel has done do not seem logical.
The idea that a student need can be met by the school and that old fashion problems (like limited hours) and new problems (like carrying around laptops) can be solved by new technology is great. More schools need to be thinking this way. A school is there to help students learn and the more creative solutions it can find for this goal that better.
The problem I see with this Kiosk concept is that in a very basic way it is not a smart choice. For example macbooks are expensive when compared to desktop computers. Since these computers will be at a higher risk of breaking than most it only makes sense to get cheap computers. Another problem is that the computers will be much easier to steal due to their small size. Yet more problems come from the in ability to install programs or save files (the two most important features that make computers as important as there are)
In short it feels like Drexel is trying to make themselves sound cool and hip, and that's not helpful to anyone. But if the ideas that drive this gain popularity learning for students may be improved in many schools through better thought out solutions to student problems.
I completely agree with Kelly. While this is a pretty interesting idea, I really dont see how this is any more beneficial than just having a computer station in the library that open 24/7. I feel like if students are using it, it is simply for the novelty of it and not that it helps them in a different way than a computer station would. I could see this being useful in other locals though. Such as in a coffee house where maybe there isnt room for a computer station, and people could do a little work at a table or on those couches that coffee shops always seem to have. I do think this could help apple with sales, not that they need it, but especially if there was an iPad dispenser it would be a great way for people do actually experience one for themselves and then possibly realize that is something they "need" in addition to their laptop.
I agree with April that this would be a great tool for companies to utilize to sell more products. I also agree that it is used only for its novelty, another aspect that makes it better for companies to use.
So the Drexel library seems like a pretty happening place. I got more from the article about how the library is trying to become more relevant and useful to the student body, like the article said not just a place for books. I think the kiosk is just a example of ways libraries can become more helpful to students. Of course, this leads to the understand that students are responsible and careful (within means) with the laptops. Technology is great, only if you know how to use it and second if you can get it into your hand. This seems to be a positive step forward and hopefully will continue to grow and adapt into bigger and better things.
I really don't think this can work. I understand why the students asked for this, but i honestly think that most people would want to bring their own computers or would work from home, and I also worry about the computers getting stolen. Theoretically I think this is a good idea, but in actuality, I think there are a lot of holes. I agree with April and Kelly. There should just be an open computer station or cluster.
What some people fail to realise is that not every student can afford a laptop. Some students may even have very heavy laptops that they may not want to lug to school with every day. Yes the computer cluster is somewhat convenient, but some students would love having the ability to use a laptop for those hours in what ever section of the library that they choose. This is where this kiosk becomes a good addition. Taking the laptop out of the library is not very important at this initial stage, just seeing if they are in high demand to use in the library would work for now. If they realise that students are using them frequently then they could decide to have another station which can distribute laptops for longer periods of times and maybe be able to take them away from the library. I think that this is a good idea.
Drexel's initiative is a great one for all it's students. But it is not the first. Full Sail University has, for years, included a laptop computer for every incoming freshmen for years already. It is a wonderful thing that universities are recognizing the versatility of computers and making them readily accessible. Portable computing has the possibility to expedite work, progress community relations, and even has life saving capabilities. The machines at Drexel are just another step in the journey to hopefully have a computer in the hands of every child on this planet and truly connect the whole world in the process.
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