Schools Give iPods To Freshmen

Taking a step that professors may view as a bit counterproductive, some universities are doling out Apple iPhones and Internet-capable iPods to students.

The always-on Internet devices raise some novel possibilities, like tracking where students congregate. With far less controversy, colleges could send messages about canceled classes, delayed buses, campus crises or just the cafeteria menu.

While schools emphasize its usefulness -- online research in class and instant polling of students, for example -- a big part of the attraction is, undoubtedly, that the iPhone is cool and a hit with students. Basking in the aura of a cutting-edge product could just help a university foster a cutting-edge reputation.

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Comments

[IntrepidReader]

If students can use these miraculous devices to download books and lectures, to send answers to instructors, to ask questions, to buzz in for recognition, to see what's on the menu in the dining hall so they can call it gross and skip it, to hear the school song, watch their team play State and chat with cute classmates.....why would they need to actually go to a college campus? Using their iDevices, they could be sitting in their rooms at home while experiencing the whole of college life through ear buds and a postage stamp sized screen. Sis boom bah.

[dgscol]

Ther e is a shortfall in funds, and there has been an uptake in marketing directed at students. It is like they are doing the same thing to colleges and universities that they did previously to high schools. The latest : University and college presidents urging a quick vote to pass an 18 year old drinking law.

Education is no longer for students, or is it?

[JimboSlice]

Nothing in life is free. Unless the $$ is coming directly out of their endowment these students will be paying full price (plus a markup) for the iPhones out of tuition or other fees.

[iambusto]

Its a fantastic move.

I work at a privately-held software company (#1 in its field but most people havent heard of it unless you are in that field).

Our CEO donates software packages + training for almost free to all the US universities. Reason being, when they graduate and go to their jobs, they would be only using this software (and not our competitors).

[JimboSlice]

Minitab does the same thing. They create an inferior product and give it out for free to students and universities so that they become trained on it for free. Then when they get to the workplace that is all they know how to use and companies have to buy the product or spend the time re-training their employees.

[theJuanStar]

This is a fantastic idea. The iPhone and the Touch are mini-computers. I don't think non-iPhone users understand the magnitude of the devices. Imagine:

-Universities can record lectures available to students via an application
-Professors and administration can automatically update calendars
-The devices can be used for students to respond in lecture halls. They can be used as a buzzer for recognition and also display the students answers or work on the screen.
-Books can be downloaded to the device.
-Student can send their files to be printed via the schools networks.
-The devices can be used for their student accounts, debiting at food halls and bookstores. It can also be used as a key for access into student buildings.
-Professors can send files for students to use during lectures.

[11907281]

Don't forget the pron.

[KillTheMessenger]

Every good drug dealer knows that kids are the prime audience for their merchandise. Get them hooked early and you will have income for life.

:-)

[NewArtz]

By their senior years, their freshmen iPods will be relics of past technology, so will the college upgrade throughout their educational experience?

[JimboSlice]

You mean by their sophomore years.

[joebiz]

It seems that many of today's tech devices are leading people to less personal and face-to-face engagement. Almost all forms of communication is done via a cell phone, texting, instant messaging, and music downloads. The emphasis is on the device and not the human. Universities are now providing ipods are incentives for choosing their Ivory Tower over some less "techie" institution. From the vantage point of the learner, the focus of the university environment has been turned upside down. It is now the device and the teaching at the core, and good old fashioned learning at the periphery.

[arunachala]

yeah, but we all know there's no such thing as a free lunch