Monday, February 23, 2009

iPods in Education

As part of the University initiative to encourage creative uses of technology in education and campus life, Duke University distributed 20Gb/ Apple iPod devices. These iPods were equipped with Belkin Voice Recorders and were distributed to over 1600 entering first year students in August 2004. These iPod were distributed with the main focuse being on audio playback but faculty and student interest made them more of a tool. iPods were starting to be used as field recording tool, classroom recording tool, and a study support tool. The iPods also reduces dependency on physical materials in the classroom and also engaged the students more in the classroom.
At other universities, such as York, iPods are being using in the same way. Lectures can be heard with out going to the classroom, however Diane Zorn of York U warns "students looking to use technology to avoid hitting the books will be disappointed." Even though the technology is the there, the course material is still the same and the classes are no easier, just different.

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