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New Mexico Military Institute in the 21st
century will be a learning environment embracing technology to enhance
student access to learning resources, promote the development of
independent learners and encourage greater student-faculty
communication and collaboration. The Institute's embrace of technology
must also be accompanied by an equally strong cadet commitment to
technological literacy. Being tomorrow's leaders in an information age
requires a strong commitment to computer literacy; computer literacy
as ubiquitous computing; the integration of the Internet and computing
into daily life. The training and computer integration students live
with at NMMI provide basic understanding and skills needed for
success in the 21st century, success in the pursuit of educational
goals and work goals beyond the NMMI campus.
Since 1992, NMMI has offered a network environment providing each
cadet network access at the barracks desk. Internet access has been
available since 1995. Cadets will quickly discover that daily computer
use is an integral part of campus academic, corps and social life. The
campus network unites the entire campus and connects it to the world
through the Internet. It also provides services like the telephone
and cable television. Computing at NMMI is not limited to word
processing, calculations, and access to the library catalog. Many
courses incorporate class bulletin boards, class chat rooms, web-based
resources, and discipline-specific software as part of the learning
environment. Library resources extend far beyond on-line access
to the catalog to full-text databases and Internet research.
In the fall of 2000, cadet access from the desk was
upgraded to 10MB Ethernet with a computer required of all
new cadets in the fall of 2002. To take full advantage of
the network resources, cadets must have access to a powerful
computer with multimedia capabilities. Avoid purchasing low-cost PC's that are
manufactured exclusively for use in the home by consumers. These systems are not
designed for the large, sophisticated, networked environment that exists at the
Institute. Most computer vendors manufacture a line of computers aimed at the
office/business market.
Standardizing hardware and software at NMMI, opens
opportunities for software site licenses and volume buys of
hardware. NMMI's Microsoft Campus Wide agreement is an example. Cadets and parents, through
the cadet computer purchase program and free Microsoft
software are beneficiaries of the savings as is the
Institute. Standardizing on a single vendor also allows for
vendor technical and warranty support of cadet computing at
levels not possible with current NMMI staffing.
Other advantages:
requiring computers allows adding that cost to
financial aid calculations.
For more details you should contact the Financial Aid office at
(575)624-8066 or e-mail
MAJ Sonya Rodriguez.
ubiquitous computing access facilitates the use of technology in
teaching and learning.
NMMI is currently funding a multi-year Technology Initiative
providing faculty computers, software and in-service training to
integrate computer technology into the curriculum as an alternate
learning medium. Such an
effort would not be possible without ubiquitous computer access in the corps.
computer access is more democratic with all cadets having a
machine in their room.
Approximately 65% of the corps of cadets currently have compute
capability in their rooms. Public and class computer labs are provided
for cadets, however a personal computer on the cadet's desk provides
greater access to network based learning resources.
the development of new models and methods of education.
A great deal is written today on meeting the learning styles of
individual students. Internet and multimedia presentations of
information is one new learning method freeing the learner from
temporal and space limits. Research also indicates that e-mail and
chat rooms tied to
classroom presentations increase the learner's
participation in discussions and also improves analysis and writing
skills.
enhanced communication and collaboration between cadets, faculty
and staff.
Electronic communications used consistently allows for
considered written discussions of topics over longer time periods. The
analysis of issues and the synthesis of clearly stated points of view
in written form are hallmarks of an educated person. While the medium
is different, the process is not unlike the use of letters by our
founding fathers in the nineteenth century to formulate the ideas at
the foundation of our society.
increased computer literacy through use of this new tool set as part of
the daily life at the Institute.
Computer literacy like leadership, honor, ethics and good
judgment are better learned when closely integrated into daily life.
It is not something you study for one hour a day, three days a week
but rather a part of the life you live. "Good judgment comes from
experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." Will Rodgers
research and learning (almost) without regard to clocks and
walls.
While the resource is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the
Institute is concerned with a great deal more than the "book learning"
of its students. Time is required of each cadet for training in
leadership, physical exercise, and issues of honor and ethics. A lights out
sleep period is also enforced each night. Students need to exercise "good judgment"
in the allocation of time for a variety of life experiences, not spending hours
"surf'n on the web".
increased access to library and information sources both on campus
and around the world.
One of the goals of new learning methods is to develop independent
learners. Abundant information sources and the ability to discern the
quality of information are important aspects of independent learning.
For additional information please see
the following:
Other Points of Interest
Scholarship Recipients
Check the guidelines for your particular scholarship
to determine what computer-related expenses may be covered.
In some cases, the monies cannot be applied to the purchase
price of a computer, but may be used to lease a computer.
For more details you should contact the
New Mexico Military Institute Financial Aid office at (575)624-8066 or e-mail
MAJ Sonya Rodriguez.
Scholarship athletes
When computers are required, the
athletics department will make available a suitable computer
for the use of each full-scholarship student-athlete who
does not already own a personal computer. The provision of
these computers will be provided per NCAA regulations
through a combination of leasing, and
issuance-and-retrieval.
Insurance
Cadets and their parents are strongly advised to
consider insurance coverage for the computer. This can be
incorporated as a rider on homeowner's or renter's
insurance.
- Bring with you to campus
all the manuals, floppy disks, and CDs you received with your computer. Keep
them with you (don't let your parents take them back home). This will help you
if you encounter any computing problems.
- Bring a copy of your purchase receipt in case you need to have warranty
repair performed.
- Remember, if you cannot get your computer connected to the NMMI network
immediately, don't panic. The "old" cadets will be available during
move-in, RAT week. During the first few days, IS staff will provide
connection training to help get your computer connected to the network as
quickly as possible.
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