iPhones become uPhones as colleges distribute technology to students
by Megan Pesch | Tufts Daily (Tufts University)
Issue date: 9/17/08 Section: News
Senior Christina Kelly also feels that although technology is an important part of the modern education process, it is excessive to provide every student with an expensive phone. "Especially now, we expect technology to be that convenient and that accessible," Kelly said. "But, my immediate reaction is that we don't all need iPhones."
While the iPhones students have received allow them to give instant feedback and have a tighter connection around campus, they also provide students with Internet access from any seat in the classroom, the ability to text friends around campus and the power to download hundreds of games.
Hanselman feels that having a phone with Internet access would distract her in class. "It would definitely be a distraction," she said. "I would use it to check the weather all the time."
But Sophomore Dan Slate, who owns a first generation iPhone, said that the phone does not regularly interrupt his learning.
"Other than the occasional 'cowabunga' or 'anacondafix,' it's not much of a distraction, since I put it on silent during classes," he said.
But Slate does not believe that an iPhone in class is necessarily helpful in academia either.
"I think [the added technology in class] would be cool, but you get to the point where the technology is a hindrance. You have to wonder if it truly is functional, or practical for a classroom."
While the iPhones students have received allow them to give instant feedback and have a tighter connection around campus, they also provide students with Internet access from any seat in the classroom, the ability to text friends around campus and the power to download hundreds of games.
Hanselman feels that having a phone with Internet access would distract her in class. "It would definitely be a distraction," she said. "I would use it to check the weather all the time."
But Sophomore Dan Slate, who owns a first generation iPhone, said that the phone does not regularly interrupt his learning.
"Other than the occasional 'cowabunga' or 'anacondafix,' it's not much of a distraction, since I put it on silent during classes," he said.
But Slate does not believe that an iPhone in class is necessarily helpful in academia either.
"I think [the added technology in class] would be cool, but you get to the point where the technology is a hindrance. You have to wonder if it truly is functional, or practical for a classroom."
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