iPhones become uPhones as colleges distribute technology to students
by Megan Pesch | Tufts Daily (Tufts University)
Issue date: 9/17/08 Section: News
Although advanced technology in the classroom is by no means a new phenomenon, the introduction of the iPhone to the classroom meant that many teachers were forced into new ways of teaching. The faculty at Abilene Christian was required to attend several training sessions to familiarize themselves with the technologies. The school has introduced the program slowly, so teachers can adjust their syllabi and teaching style.
"We started with just the incoming freshmen this year, and since not all of our classes are ubiquitous— we don't have any all-freshman classes—it gives the faculty time to get used to the technology," Satsman said. "The inaugural faculty agreed to two training courses, the first of which was basic iPhone use, like syncing it with your computer, and the second session was more about how to use it in a classroom setting."
While Abilene Christian has decided to integrate the technology slowly, starting with only the incoming freshmen and roughly half the faculty, other schools have offered the phone to the entire student body. At the University of Maryland, any student can receive the phone on the condition that they participate in a feedback seminar. Stanford University also offers the iPhone to all students, but they must be willing to pay the costs of the phone.
In the past, schools like Duke University have given out phones to students who don't already own them as a tool to use in case of campus emergencies. While Tufts has not given out phones, the university has taken action against emergency events.
"We chose to do that using 'Send Word Now,' which reaches out to students automatically in case of an emergency via text message, e-mail or a phone call," Dean of Student Affairs Bruce Reitman said.
While Tufts doesn't offer "smart" phones like the iPhone, most Jumbos said they aren't missing out on much.
Freshman Jory Hanselman feels that giving every student an iPhone is unnecessary. "I think that besides just wanting an iPhone, it's a little extravagant," Hanselman said. "Students don't really need that around a college campus."
"We started with just the incoming freshmen this year, and since not all of our classes are ubiquitous— we don't have any all-freshman classes—it gives the faculty time to get used to the technology," Satsman said. "The inaugural faculty agreed to two training courses, the first of which was basic iPhone use, like syncing it with your computer, and the second session was more about how to use it in a classroom setting."
While Abilene Christian has decided to integrate the technology slowly, starting with only the incoming freshmen and roughly half the faculty, other schools have offered the phone to the entire student body. At the University of Maryland, any student can receive the phone on the condition that they participate in a feedback seminar. Stanford University also offers the iPhone to all students, but they must be willing to pay the costs of the phone.
In the past, schools like Duke University have given out phones to students who don't already own them as a tool to use in case of campus emergencies. While Tufts has not given out phones, the university has taken action against emergency events.
"We chose to do that using 'Send Word Now,' which reaches out to students automatically in case of an emergency via text message, e-mail or a phone call," Dean of Student Affairs Bruce Reitman said.
While Tufts doesn't offer "smart" phones like the iPhone, most Jumbos said they aren't missing out on much.
Freshman Jory Hanselman feels that giving every student an iPhone is unnecessary. "I think that besides just wanting an iPhone, it's a little extravagant," Hanselman said. "Students don't really need that around a college campus."
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