Status of a digital life and learning program

Abstract

Winona State University in 1997 launched its program, providing every student with a computer to enhance his/her studies. Now, in 2009, programs are no longer novelties; they are commonplace with more than 150 programs in higher education institutions across the country.[1] Winona State is a very different institution because of the The program has been woven into the fabric of the institution. Unlike at other institutions within the Minnesota State College and University (MnSCU) system, there are no traditional computer labs on the Winona campus. These specialized rooms for working with technology have given way to anytime, anywhere learning. Any room on campus can be turned into a learning space that provides students and faculty with the world's information resources at hand. Innovative pedagogies are in practice on campus with current action research projects looking at e-books and enhanced communications with students. Winona State's experiment with e-books is possible because of the universal program.Winona State's new buildings on campus (i.e., science building, library, Maxwell renovation) were designed around a mobile computing environment. All the building spaces and equipment, including science labs, require that students have computers. This mobile computing environment has allowed Winona State to create more efficient teaching and learning spaces even to connect high-tech science equipment. The design of the new Wellness Center also incorporates the realities of mobile computing.Since 1997, the program has become more than just a laptop program. The name no longer describes its holistic impact on the academic programming of Winona State. With the blessing of the Winona State Student Association, the name of the program was changed in January 2009 to the e-Warrior: Digital Life and Learning Program.After 10 years, Winona State is still gaining experience with its Digital Life and Learning Program. The program continues to evolve as more faculty and students familiarize themselves with the changing needs of students, and Winona State will continue to learn more about the role of the program's impact on its students' educational opportunities for years to come. As Winona State continues to evolve, the program at its core will always be about enhancing student success. This paper will focus on lessons learned over at Winona State University at its Digital Life and Learning Program.