COMPUTER

MANDATORY TECHNOLOGY PURCHASE - UPDATE (04/02/2011): Please read below for an explanation of the required technology purchase for incoming physician assistant students in January 2012.

EVMS is in the second year of implementing EVMS 2.0 - an initiative to improve the quality of our teaching programs by better use of computer-based technologies. Computers and related technologies are woven into the fabric of the daily lives of EVMS’ students, who expect to use them in their learning as seamlessly as they use them in the rest of their lives. These emerging technologies provide a set of powerful tools for education in the medical and health professions. The faculty at EVMS believe that, whenever feasible our learning environment should resemble the practice environment that our graduates will enter - one that is increasingly reliant on information technology.

In order to achieve this vision, EVMS 2.0 has outlined the following three goals:

1. Enhance student learning through improved integration of educational technologies into courses and clerkships.
2. Enhance student skills in clinical procedures through simulation and other emerging educational technologies.
3. Strengthen faculty knowledge and skills in the use of emerging educational technologies.

One result of this initiative is that beginning summer of 2011 and thereafter, matriculating students will be required to purchase an EVMS laptop in order to take full advantage of EVMS 2.0 and the technology incorporated in the new Education and Research Building (opening in July 2011). The final cost (estimated to be approximately $1775) will be included in the student’s fees and will be used in the determination of financial need and available financial aid.

The capacity of information technology support at EVMS, combined with essential safeguards required to protect our network security, requires that students use an EVMS computer for academic purposes. So, it is not possible to substitute computers that may already be owned by entering students.

More information on the exact cost and specifications of the EVMS computer will be provided prior to orientation.

C. Donald Combs, PhD
Vice President and Dean of the School of Health Professions

With the initiation of this computer initiative, we are moving to a paper-less program. The laptops will be an essential part of your classroom didactic education including access to course documents, lectures, study resources, exams, class attendance and in-class assessments (quizzes). You will be required to have them with you at each and every lecture. With the new building and upgraded infrastructure, EVMS is now a wireless campus allowing you extensive access to resources anywhere on the medical campus. The Brickell Library houses an academic computer lab that is open 24/7. Printers are available in the computer lab and student lounge space. Additionally, several local restaurants and hospitals offer wireless internet access.

SMART PHONES/TABLETS/PDAs

With the new computer initiative, EVMS does not require its students to have a SmartPhone tablet or PDA. However, in recent years, the trend is for many students to come already possessing one or more of these items. Having a handheld device with internet access is advantageous for quick reference to many useful medical programs or sites but will be more helpful in the clinical year. It will also be useful during clinicals for the required patient logging; however, this can all be accomplished with the EVMS laptop you will receive in January. Having a smaller device is ultimately more a matter of convenience than necessity.  

If you do not already own one of these devices, you might want to wait until you are well into your first year before you consider purchasing one. You will have a better idea of their applicability and your need after you are familiar with the new laptops and the various programs available.

Additionallly, the added expense for the device and monthly data package plan fees may not be the wisest use of your funds during the didactic phase of your educational experience.  

PLAYERS/VOICE RECORDERS

Some students choose to record the lectures so that they can listen to them again to fill in any gaps they might have in their notes. It is true that some test questions do come from what is verbally stated during lecture. Digital voice recorders are pretty inexpensive and you can even find voice recorders that plug directly into an iPod. Someone in the class may even be able to record the lectures and then distribute them electronically to other members of the class.

The bottom line for using a recorder is whether or not you are the type of person who feels they need to hear the lectures more than once to catch all the information. It might be wise to speak to someone in our class who does record the lectures and someone who does not in order to help you make a decision.

DIGITAL CAMERAS

These are not necessary for any class. If you already have one you will probably just be using it to post pictures of all of your favorite memories on Facebook. J