Using iPods in Instruction

I googled using iPods in instruction and I found lots of sites and blogs that discussed the use of them at different universities. Duke University has been using them, they started by giving iPods to their incoming freshmen in 2004 to see if they would be a useful technology . The next year they only gave them to certain students depending on their major. Considering all that is available on iTunes U, the use of an iPod can be valuable in instruction. As I read about the way Dukes students used the iPods I realized that it would be a great asset to most student, not matter what their major.

They found that the use of iPods was very convenient and easy to use. The resources on iPods made it much more convenient than going to the library or the lab. The professors found that their was much more student engagement. Duke did find a problem or two one of which was obtaining licenses for materials. The students that were given the iPods were Engineering students, music and foreign language majors. They used the iPod for downloading music, recording interviews and tutoring sessions. I can see that this would be very convenient to carry instead of books or going to the library. Duke has developed models for introducing and merging computing into college campuses. They have expanded the courses that will use iPods in instruction. I wish the University of South Alabama would follow the model and give us all iPods, I would find a good use for it.