The trail less traveled: making computing labs usable by removing barriers

IT professionals are inundated with information on how to restrict computers and networks with the intent to preserve functionality and limit security threats. It only seems sensible that this would result in less work for IT professionals. However, what most institutions are not paying attention to is how much time is spent on balancing the locking down of a system versus rendering it useless for their constituents. Of particular concern to resource-starved IT departments, locking down a machine seldom results in the promised recovery of staff time. Generation Y has grown up in a multi-tasking world. They simultaneously listen to streamed music, chat online, perform online searches, play games, and work on homework. They have an expectation that 'their' labs reflect their learning methods. Therefore, at the University of Rochester we have chosen a different path, and have focused on allowing the current generation of students to learn in the way they are most accustomed to. We have removed the typical barriers to using a computer so that the labs are extensions of a student's home learning environment. In the process we have reduced maintenance time spent per machine, doubled the number of machines we are able to maintain, and witnessed a marked increase in lab usage---when the majority of students recently surveyed have their own computers.