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

The Changing Landscape of IT in Higher Education

January 28, 2025 | Data
2 min

What role do traditional computer labs play in a world increasingly focused on remote access?

The landscape of higher education IT has dramatically shifted over the past few years, and as we look ahead, it’s clear that hybrid and remote learning are here to stay. With the advent of new technologies and the changing needs of students, universities are being forced to reimagine their approach to classroom and lab spaces.

Here’s an in-depth look at some of the challenges and innovations that are shaping the future of IT infrastructure in higher education, based on real-world experiences from institutions partnered with LabStats.

The Shift in IT Resource Usage: A Post-Pandemic Reality

At one higher education institution, there has been a marked change in how students use IT resources. As the pandemic forced universities to adapt rapidly, the school embraced a combination of remote and in-person learning, leading to new ways of providing technology support.

For example, in 2020, when students were forced to shift to remote learning, the institution quickly implemented a remote access solution using LabStats. This solution allowed students to access computer lab resources remotely, even when they couldn’t be physically present on campus. Initially, the school’s IT team cobbled together a homegrown remote access tool, but as the pandemic continued, they transitioned to a more robust solution using LabStats’ Remote Access Dashboard, which streamlined access to lab computers for both on-campus and remote learners.

The results? Students could now access the same powerful software and hardware they used in the lab, from the comfort of their own homes. But this raised an important question for the institution: What role do traditional computer labs play in a world increasingly focused on remote access?

Related Webinar: Meeting Students Where They Are

The Role of Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)
One of the biggest challenges for this institution was how to provide remote students with access to powerful hardware and specialized software. For their business analytics program, students needed access to tools like SPSS, Oracle, and Crystal Ball—tools that require substantial computing power and software licensing. However, many students in this program were working professionals who could not install these applications on their work laptops, as corporate IT departments would not approve academic software installations on work devices.

This led the institution to explore virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solutions. Initially, they used Amazon Workspaces to provide full desktop replacements in the cloud, before transitioning to Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop for a more cost-effective solution. Each student had access to a persistent desktop that allowed them to store their files, access software like SPSS, and continue their coursework remotely.

As more schools began to adopt hybrid and remote learning models, the need for reliable VDI solutions became even more apparent. The institution’s transition from in-person to hybrid and remote learning during the pandemic exemplifies how essential virtual desktops have become in ensuring continuity for students in programs that require powerful software tools.

Rethinking the Need for Physical Labs
While virtual desktop solutions helped bridge the gap, the question of whether physical computer labs are still necessary lingered. For this institution, the answer isn’t so simple. Physical hardware continues to play a role, especially when students need to access software that isn’t compatible with their personal devices. Many students use MacBooks, but some software applications are only available on Windows computers. This created a need for specialized labs that could house these machines for students who needed them for coursework.

Additionally, traditional computer labs still provide valuable space for collaborative work and in-person instruction. The shift toward hybrid learning hasn’t eliminated the need for collaboration and group work, which is an essential part of the business programs. Thus, the institution is working to right-size its computer labs—finding a balance between remote access, hybrid solutions, and physical workstations.

The Role of Collaboration in the New IT Landscape
While individual access to software and hardware remains crucial, the role of collaboration space cannot be overlooked. This institution’s business program has a heavy emphasis on group projects and teamwork. Students often need physical spaces where they can work together, brainstorm, and collaborate on projects.

This shift in priorities has led to a reimagining of the traditional lab space. Instead of maintaining rows of desktop computers, the school is now focusing on creating spaces that support collaboration, teamwork, and flexibility. These spaces will allow students to move away from the traditional “sit at a desk and work individually” model and instead focus on collaboration, much like the future of work itself.

The Future of IT in Higher Education
The future of IT in higher education will undoubtedly continue to be shaped by the lessons learned during the pandemic. The rise of virtual desktop infrastructure, remote access solutions, and the need for collaboration spaces are all part of the broader shift toward a more flexible, hybrid approach to learning.

Institutions like this one are showing us that the future of computer labs isn’t just about maintaining rows of desktop computers. It’s about providing flexible, equitable, and collaborative technology solutions that meet the needs of today’s diverse student population.

As we move forward, universities will need to continue adapting their IT infrastructures, balancing physical and virtual resources, and ensuring that all students have access to the tools and spaces they need to succeed.

At the end of the day, the goal is clear: to ensure that technology supports student success, no matter where they are or what device they’re using. And as we’ve seen at various institutions, that success is achievable with the right combination of tools, infrastructure, and support.