The Digital U Impact – Innovation and Creativity on Display Thanks to Campus Technology by Emily Kesel
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even years ago, Central Methodist University announced a bold plan. In an effort to ensure the brightest possible future for its students, the University began rolling out its multi-million-dollar education initiative known as Digital U, putting Apple iPads in the hands of all its on-campus, fulltime students and promoting an innovative new technological environment. The iPads were distributed in the fall of 2018, and other technology was implemented all across campus. Apple TVs were installed in every classroom and lab, the Makerspace was created to give even more access to technology, and faculty members were trained on the new tech and encouraged to use and promote innovative thinking. Spearheaded by former board president Bob Courtney, the goal of the program was to make learning more equitable, engaging, and collaborative—ensuring all Central students have equal access to technology while providing a cutting-edge experience that could give them an advantage in the job market. Today, it’s clear that the initiative has been a great success. This summer, Central achieved the honor of being named an Apple Distinguished School for a second time, earning another three-year distinction for its innovation using Apple technology to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning. “The Apple Distinguished designation
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reflects our ongoing commitment to empowering learners through technology,” said Carrie Strodtman ’03, director for digital learning. “Our faculty have embraced the Digital U initiative, reimagining their curriculum to integrate technology in meaningful and transformative ways. This approach has created a dynamic learning environment that encourages students to create, innovate, and share their ideas.” With its inclusion in this year’s list, Central became one of only 46 institutions of higher education in the United States to earn the designation of an Apple Distinguished School. Apple identifies these institutions as “centers of leadership and educational excellence that demonstrate Apple’s vision for learning with technology.” But it doesn’t take a prestigious award to see the impact that Digital U has had on the students at Central. The technology used every day was a crucial aspect of keeping the University running smoothly during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students and faculty were able to keep in touch even as quarantine was necessary for those testing positive for the virus. Even in more normal times, though, the vast majority of students surveyed by Strodtman as both freshmen and upperclassmen year after year say their iPads make them more engaged in class and
give them the ability to work from almost anywhere. In the 2023-24 survey, 85 percent of both freshmen and upperclassmen said they use their iPads in all their classes, and greater than 90 percent said the CMUissued iPad is their primary device for class work, including writing papers, completing homework, and accessing course materials. Many faculty members also find the iPads more accessible and convenient for both day-to-day work and projects. Secondyear English professor Erika Gotfredson says she uses technology in every class, using apps and online platforms to drive student participation and, in turn, give them feedback in real time. “It’s so much easier to do on the iPad, because I can very quickly put up a submission portal in Canvas and have them submit a thesis statement, and then I can give them feedback during class while they’re working on other things,” said Gotfredson. “It’s better than having them hand write it and turn something in that inevitably is going to get lost.” Gotfredson listed apps such as Notability and Canvas as the tools she and her students use most often, while a platform called Perusal has become more popular in her classes this year. Students can use the online platform to access their readings, then add comments and respond to others’ comments, which then facilitates discussion in the