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In recent years, the world has seen the growth of portable mass storage devices, capable of containing hundreds of gigabytes worth of information. However, none has been so pervasive in influence and reach than that of the iPod, an Apple (see Companies - Apple) invention revolutionising the way music and data is stored, shared and transferred the world over (Read, 2005: 1).
An unprecedented affect however is the use of the Apple iPod within the education sector (Read, 2005: 1). Whilst many secondary schools have banned these devices, they can prove quite useful in a variety of tertiary contexts. This entry will discuss the use of the iPod within education and the advantages and disadvantages of the phenomenon.
One of the most major educational uses for the iPod is its ability to store many high quality sound files. As such, companies and radio stations alike have developed podcasting: sound versions of textbooks or records of radio programs that can be downloaded and listened to at the user’s leisure (Read, 2005: 1).
Pearsons Higher Education Audible Inc. have been the front runners in this element, with their offer to provide not only information, but study guides available for download (Daily, 2005: 8). This serves to create a holistic learning environment, where the student has 24/7 access to interesting and relevant information at the touch of a button.
In an historic move, Drexel University in the United States plans to give out 30 iPods to their education students in a bid to create a practical working environment for the students. Not only does the iPod serve as a mass storage device, but allows students to record interviews, download lectures and create interactive lesson plans for assessment.
Drexel has even created a rewards program, giving away the prized piece of technology for the most creative use of the device within an educational context.
"Seeking out creative ways to use technology is an integral part of our mission," says Daniel W. Hanson, director of marketing and recruitment for the education school. "What better way to be creative than to take a piece of technology that isn't traditional but that has a lot of potential?" (Drexel University, 2005: 2)
Of course this method does not limit itself to the software of the iPod, making it accessible for anyone with a digital sound player to retrieve files.
The advantages of this trend are obvious; students have unlimited access to valuable and up to date education tools like University information and lectures, assessment is catching up with the practical world in terms of training students in technological integration and students feel more connected with their peers and teachers, creating an excellent learning environment.
The trend does have its pitfalls however. The increased ability to fileshare with the iPod (see Filesharing - IPod) has led to an increase in plagiarism, a nightmare for Universities who have tried to combat this problem with sophisticated technology for years (Read, 2005: 1).
The point and quality of the program at Drexel also has been criticised by the students themselves. One student stated that the iPods “generated noise and gave the university a few moments in the limelight, but the iPods failed to accomplish the stated goals of the program" (Drexel University, 2005: 3).
From this, it is clear that the iPod is an excellent tool for a multitude of uses but students need to be educated on the specific benefits related to their discipline and how they can manipulate the technology to suit their needs.
Daily, G. (2005) ‘Listen and Learn: Audible and Pearson Partner on Audio Only Study Guides,’ in EContent, vol. 28, no. 8, pp 8 – 9.
Drexel University. (2005) ‘Drexel catches iPod fever,’ in University Business, vol. 8, no. 4, pp 2 – 5.
Read, B. (2005) ‘Seriously, iPods are educational,’ in Chronicle of Higher Education, vol. 51, no. 28, pp 30 – 32.
