STUDENT SURVEY RESULTS VALIDATE VCSUMISSION

Mission Statement

Valley City State University is a learner centered community dedicated to continuing improvement in meeting student needs. Preparing individuals to serve in a changing world, the institution provides a quality educational experience in an innovative culture and a technologically enhanced environment.

A leader in the effective use of instructional technologies, Valley City State University is a member of the North Dakota University System and offers baccalaureate degrees in education, business, and the liberal arts.

-Approved by the State Board of Higher Education
February 20, 1998

Technology Survey

· Student attitudes toward having their own notebook computers to use are mostly positive.
· Technology enhances the student learning experience.
· Students attitudes toward using their notebook computers are more confident than not.
· Frequency of daily computer use among students is increasing.
· Frequency of daily e-mail access by students is increasing.
· Frequency of daily Internet access by students is increasing.
· Students computer use during class time is increasing.
· Student computer use outside the classroom for course work is increasing.
· Having their own notebook computers makes learning more meaningful for students.
· Having their own notebook computers makes learning more fun for students.
· Having their own computers saves students time.
· Using notebook computers increases student communication with others.
· Technology makes it easier for students to work in groups.
· Using technology increases student critical thinking.
· Students like having VCSU course information and materials available on the Web.
· Students use the Internet to research topics for courses.
· Many students prefer using Internet resources for information rather than textbooks.
· Many students prefer using Internet resources rather than traditional library materials.
· The opportunity to use a notebook computer contributes somewhat to a decision to enroll at VCSU.
· Students have a definite preference for using notebook computers over a computer lab.

Learner Centered Education Survey (based on principles outlined by McREL and the APA)

To some degree, using notebook computers:
· Helps students pursue personally meaningful goals.
· Makes learning more meaningful and fun.
· Enhances student ability to set learning goals and experience success in meeting them.
· Involves students actively in the learning process.
· Broadens ways for students to receive and/or present information.
· Contributes to higher-level thinking among students.
· Enables students to engage in learner centered projects and activities that promote student choice and responsibility.
· Makes the learning environment supportive and positive.
· Contributes to making the learning environment less threatening.
· Increases level of motivation among students.
· Supports student curiosity and intrinsic interest in learning.
· Contributes to meeting individual learner needs.
· Enables students to integrate and organize knowledge in personally meaningful ways.
· Provides a variety of settings for student learning.
· Diminishes a sense of competition in learning.
· Fosters cooperation in learning.
· Empowers students to meet their learning needs.
· Helps students increase the overall quality of their personal relationships.
· Broadens student awareness of and appreciation for the diversity among people.
· Makes the learning environment more responsive to student learning needs.
· Helps students assume personal responsibility for learning.

The Downside? Survey
Using notebook computers:
· Does not tend to keep students from socializing with others in person.
· Does not tend to increase a sense of personal isolation from real "community" with people.
· Does not tend to increase the tendency toward depression among students.
· Can distract students from what is being covered during classes.
· Does not tend to result in students being academically dishonest.
· Does not tend to deprive students of sleep.
· Does not tend to contribute much to students experiencing information overload.
· Does not tend to become an addiction for students.

Kudos to VCSU students, faculty, staff, administrators, the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education, and IBM!  Continued success of the notebook initiative exemplifies and underscores the leadership role Valley City State University has adopted in effective use of instructional technologies and learner centered education.

Dr. Kathryn Holleque, VCSU Professor in the Division of Education and Psychology

Link to detailed survey reports on the Web:
http://community.vcsu.edu/facultypages/kathryn_holleque/Surveys.htm