Back in November of 2023, Winter Springs High School announced the usage of a new digital ID platform app called Minga. This app was created to increase student engagement and provide a digital home for the school campus. Students are still taking time to adjust and adapt to the app. However, many students are still unaware of what this application is in its entirety. The students who familiarized themselves with the platform had mixed feelings about it. Some enjoy no longer having to worry about misplacing their ID since they can use Minga instead, while others have a different outlook and believe the app complicates things more for them. 

Minga is used to create school passes, display your student ID, and check students in when they are tardy. It can also be used to access school events quickly and effectively. Teachers can use the app to create a hall pass for students who may need to exit the classroom at any given time during class. These passes have a time limit to ensure students do not abuse their time outside the classroom. The home page can also display upcoming events to keep students up to date with everything happening on campus. 

At WSHS, the Minga app has mainly been used in the mornings to check in students who arrive late to school. Junior Annaliese Trout has had her fair share of experiences using the Minga app and shared her experience using the app: “It’s been interesting using Minga and I can’t say that it’s my favorite. At times, it can be inconvenient if it takes a while to load.” Imani Killenbec shares a similar opinion. She states,  “I think there’s no point in having the app when parents are already notified when students are late or absent.” Some are having trouble adjusting to the change to using their electronic ID. 

As time passes, students will naturally become accustomed to using the app, which will be an effortless part of their routine. Students will also soon realize the benefits of having the app with the use of the digital ID. Despite the opposing viewpoints, Minga is here to benefit students and ensure their engagement in the classroom. Whether a student is late to school or has misplaced their physical ID, Minga is here to make their lives that much easier.