For the first time, first-year U. Iowa medical students received Dell laptops through the PowerUP program.

The program is meant to provide state-of-the-art equipment to medical students, and the laptops will feature technology that allows small-group collaborations, in-class student response systems, and computer-based testing. The laptops have Microsoft Office 2010 installed and built-in microphones and cameras.

The laptops will be specially programmed to complement students’ curriculum and orientations will include a “tech time” in which they will learn to use their laptops effectively during medical school.

However, not all are excited about the Dell laptops.

“I am a Mac user, so I would prefer that, because it is what I am comfortable with, but the Dell has been fine so far,” said Miriam Weiner, a first-year medical student. “I am still using my Mac for everything I can.”

But others like the idea.

“I think personal laptops are essential to all med students, and providing them to incoming [medical students] is a smart and progressive decision on the part of the administration,” said William Shyy, a fourth-year medical student.

He said he would have appreciated receiving a laptop when he was in their place.

“I think it would have been more convenient to have a laptop provided to us,” he said. “All my friends and I went out and bought computers, so this program would have saved us time and money.”

Students will have access to many technologies, including an online toolbox that makes UI databases and applications, such as Iowa Courses Online, accessible. Many medical databases available through the Hardin Library will be presented to students.

The PowerUP program is also meant to reduce the amount of paper the medical school uses. One of the goals of the program is to make steps to become a paperless organization.

“Over the last few years, our students have become more and more tech savvy,” said Christopher Cooper, an associate dean for student affairs and curriculum in the medical school.

He said there are many benefits to providing laptops to students.

“The laptops will be used for getting an on-the-spot, up-to-date curriculum,” Cooper said.

Cooper estimated each laptop will cost approximately $1,000, which will be included in each medical student’s tuition beginning this year.

“I anticipate the use of this program will grow and professors will get more and more used to technology and will be able to deliver in a more interactive way,” Cooper said. “We are really excited about this program.”

David Maki, the chief technology officer at Northern Michigan University, said the school was involved a similar program in which every incoming freshman received a laptop and a new one every two years.

Maki could not disclose the amount that the laptops have cost the school.