Summary

First in North Dakota and second in the nation, Valley City State University became a universal notebook computer campus in 1996.  The continued success of this initiative exemplifies and underscores the leadership role the institution has adopted in the effective use of instructional technologies.

In each of the first two years of the initiative, Holleque administered the Technology Survey near the end of fall semester to students enrolled in her two sections of General Psychology.  By design, she chose to survey these students because they represented new incoming freshmen. In both years, survey results were overwhelmingly positive and provided valuable feedback to this nationally recognized, learner centered community.

1. Student attitudes toward having their own notebook computers to use continued to be positive.
2. The extent to which technology enhanced the student learning experience increased. 
3. Student attitudes toward using notebook computers remained more confident than not.
4. Daily computer use by students increased.
5. Daily e-mail access by students remained about the same overall.
6. Daily Internet access by students increased.
7. Student computer use during class time increased.
8. Student computer use outside the classroom for course work increased.
9. The extent to which having their own computer made learning more meaningful for students declined somewhat.
10. The extent to which having their own computer made learning more fun for students increased somewhat.
11. The extent to which having their own computers saved students time increased.
12. The extent to which using notebook computers increased student communication with others increased.
13. The extent to which technology made it easier for student group work increased.
14. The extent to which using technology increased student critical thinking increased.

1. Students liked having VCSU course information and materials available on the Web.
2. All students used the Internet to research topics for courses.
3. Many students preferred using Internet resources for information rather than textbooks.
4. Many students preferred using Internet resources for information rather than traditional library materials.
5. The extent to which opportunity to use notebook computer contributed to decision to enroll at VCSU appeared to be of some consequence.

Recommendations

1. VCSU faculty members should find additional ways to build on positive student attitudes toward using their computers, as well as on the extent to which students use them.
2. VCSU faculty members should increasingly make their course information and materials  available on the Web for students.
3. Given the degree to which students used the Internet to research topics for courses, as well as the extent to which they preferred using Internet resources for information rather than traditional library materials, VCSU should continue to investigate the future role and scope of its library.
4. While further study is necessary, VCSU faculty members should consider adopting Internet resources for information, as students seem to prefer using them somewhat over textbooks.
5. Other institutions of higher education should give serious consideration to implementing universal notebook computer initiatives.