IPods in the Classroom?

I really do not know how I feel about this, is this the first step for replacing teachers? Just kidding but in a way it does seem possible now. Regardless of the last comment, I do feel that Ipods are an excellent way to enhance learning. Students can download lectures or other information such as spelling words (dictated by the teacher so pronunciation would be accurate for lower grades). One site that I thought was helpful was from Education World, http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/sites/sites070.shtml, this site goes over how Ipods can be a useful tool in the classroom. This site gives instructions on how to, and why to use Ipods in the classroom. This site also references Duke University and how it is pioneering this new teaching tool.

Duke University specifically goes over how and when Ipods are used and how the students feel about it on their website, http://cit.duke.edu/tools/digital_media/ipod.html. As more and more schools catch onto this educational aide, the more students will flourish. Missing class will no longer be an excuse, students can simply download the specific material and not miss a beat. What once was banned as a nuisance in the classroom, has now become a requirement in some places. As long as people keep coming up with these interesting techniques students will never get bored. School will no longer be looked at as a burden.

My only concern is the financial aspect of this new development. There are still many families and students that are on fixed incomes. It will be these students that are going to be left out. Before this becomes the norm, one must look at what students are paying for books (which are astronomical to begin with), other mechanical devices that are used only for quizzes, and other not mentioned expenses, and that is just college students. K-12 students have it a lot worse, those students are subject to parent discretion, what is more important power bill or IPod for one of my three kids. I really like the idea of the concept of having IPods as an aide to the teacher but realistically the responsibility needs to be the schools to provide these items.

Ipod