If Marquette catches on to a new college trend, students may be using their iPods for more than just entertainment. As a student who has survived almost four years of college pod-less, I have to wonder, should these sleek, little gadgets be integrated into the academic arena?
For some college students, this question is already a reality. Six universities nationwide — Duke, Brown, Stanford, University of Michigan, Missouri School of Journalism and University of Wisconsin-Madison — are testing out "iTunes U." This Web site makes it possible for students to access professors' lectures and other class materials.
Personally, I have mixed feelings about the iPod and classroom rendezvous. So let's explore this relationship.
You're going to miss class at some point. It happens for many reasons — you could have a cold, hangover, family emergency, interview or chronic sleepiness. How nice it would be to have access to lectures. Let's face it; friends' notes aren't always reliable, and you miss hearing the teacher's explanation.
In addition, communication lines would improve. Teachers can do podcasts addressing common students concerns or questions, and provide additional resources, such as videos, which could be used as an interactive assignment or just extra information.
However, I'm still not convinced that everyone walking around with earphones dangling from their ears is the best academic tool. Class attendance could significantly drop. The iPod material should be an additional resource, not an excuse to ditch. But if you have lectures conveniently available then you might ask why even bother attending class?
A Mar. 20 Associated Press article had this quote by Donna Qualters, the director of the Center for Effective Teaching at Northeastern University in Boston: "Learning is through interaction, discussion, critical questioning and challenging of assumptions. Those cannot be duplicated on an iPod — you have to be there to experience that learning."
I completely agree, but I do think that an iPod can complement the current educational system and better a student's experience. Students can be more engaged in class time rather then frantically writing notes and then they can reference back to their iPod anytime day or night to rehear parts they need more clarification on. No matter your studying style, iPods would to some degree benefit all.
And wait before I get carried away, we can't forget about finances. These digital toys can run the gambit from $100 to $400. If Marquette chooses to become an iPod campus, it should do everything possible to make the technology affordable for students and faculty, in addition to having rentals available at the library. Duke University for example, has given incoming freshman free iPods.
Can you tell I'm torn on this topic? So what's the solution? iPods should be a resource students have but not a primary educational tool. My prediction is eventually this trend will hit our campus.
Of course, not all teachers and students will be eager to adapt. But that's the world we live in today and Marquette needs to stay in speed with cutting edge technology.
