Are Labs Still Necessary? The Changing Trends in Student Computing Spaces

With increasing computer ownership by students, accompanied by tightening budgets, many administrators are asking whether campus computer labs are still necessary. This session examines the changing role of computer labs in higher education. Labs still fill an important need, but not in the traditional form we've seen over the past few decades. This session looks at the five major trends that will influence the computer labs of the future. Collaboration, cloud and mobile technologies, high-performance computing, social space (both physical and virtual), and student convenience all play significant roles.