Duke to Give iPods to Incoming Freshman

[jxyama]

From Maccentral:
"This is a pilot program between Duke University and Apple, which will be evaluated after a year. It's being paid for by Duke using strategic planning funds that have been set aside for one-time purposes, rather than with funds that might otherwise have been used for other operational programs."

So the funds are from a source that is set aside for these exact types of experiments. At least the university is trying to think outside the box. Your argument of using the funds on tuition, while admirable, is not valid. These funds would have been used for something experimental in a one-time fashion anyways.

Chuck

thanks for the clarifications. (of course, those "funds" came from somewhere too.)

anyway, i guess i still don't see the merit of the "experiment." i just don't see much evidence that iPod is the best solution because i don't see the "problem" to begin with.

don't get me wrong, it's great promotion for apple and, to a lesser degree, duke. i won't dispute that. maybe i'm just old fashioned when it comes to educational policies.

 

[Peyote]

thanks for the clarifications. (of course, those "funds" came from somewhere too.)

anyway, i guess i still don't see the merit of the "experiment." i just don't see much evidence that iPod is the best solution because i don't see the "problem" to begin with.

don't get me wrong, it's great promotion for apple and, to a lesser degree, duke. i won't dispute that. maybe i'm just old fashioned when it comes to educational policies.

Just because there is no noticeable problem, does not mean that the experiment won't improve things. There is no "problem" using dial-up internet...but isn't broadband so much better?

 

[Peyote]

Are these going to be iPod Mini's? I don't think so, but that's a shame since the kids could all get the blue mini to match Duke's colors.

 

[diamacibal]

See how it goes...

Some universities have offered PDA opportunities for their students, only to find the students ending up not using 'em at all. This iPod idea is not too bad, for it gives students something they'll use--even if it's not for educational purposes. On the most basic level, students can use this as a portable drive--no more messing around with network drive space or floppy disks. Beyond that, it's up to the Dukers to figure out how to get the most bang for the buck.

 

[Downdivx]

Are these going to be iPod Mini's? I don't think so, but that's a shame since the kids could all get the blue mini to match Duke's colors.

One of these articles says that they are the 20GB Gen 4s.

W

 

[macfan86]

hmmmm I wonder if Berklee College of Music will soon follow...

-- They are all Mac at that College, and Require All Students to own 15" PowerBooks upon Entering the School.

Maybe iPods will be next?

 

[Doctor Q]

Are these going to be iPod Mini's? I don't think so, but that's a shame since the kids could all get the blue mini to match Duke's colors.

Maybe they'll engrave each one with "Go, Blue Devils!"

 

[virividox]

bastards BASTARDs

 

[themacrobaye]

Dammit... Duke of all people! Why not Wheaton!!! Or why not UCONN!!! UCONN deserves it more than Duke...cuz Duke sucks, and they didn't make it to the final...cuz they suck...and UCONN rules...OK I'm done hehe

But seriously, I always hear about "Free iTMS at so and so university" and "free iPods at duke" and "free PBs and iBs at x college.."

Why not wheaton??? WHYYY!!!???

 

[Thussy]

38K per year for tuition?!?!?!?!

Why are us Canadians complaining about 4K per semester, when those poor bastards down south have to pay 38K?!

 

[suneun]

The people who whine about this being an unnecessary expense are probably the same people who would be shocked to discover how much money these Universities spend on landscaping. Or electricity. Or frequent rennovations. Or student activities.

The University needs this kind of whole-body care. If you try to be focused in your spending to faculty, libraries, and buildings, then what you end up with is a drab, uneventful four years. A University is in the perfect position to take chances, innovate, and really spark beauty in their students.

Often, most of the money Universities use doesn't come from tuition. They come from grants, donations, and their endowment.

 

[jbembe]

why go to the boring classes when they will be able to get audio recordings of their lecture on their special itunes. To bad I didn't have that option when i was in college. It would be fantastic to get class audio related material via itunes and ipod.

Class always got in the way of my bike training schedule. Maybe I could have been riding the pyrenees and alps with Lance if I'd only had this option...

 

[~Shard~]

Wow, this is pretty cool - I'm envious of those freshman! But, good publicity for Apple, a good little promotion, good for Duke, and good for the kids - a winning situation all around!

 

[Target]

how someone uses it and what it's intended to be used for are different things. most college students use their computers for email, surfing the web, and playing games. maybe a small percentage is actually used for "educational purposes." that doesn't make it useless or justify it as a necessary item. even if students will spend the bulk of their time listening to music, that doesn't mean it can't serve an educational purpose...even if only used twice a week to download lectures, it's still mighty useful.

I was just over at www.macminute.com and now it all makes sense. Podtender.

 

[Doctor Q]

Let's all hope that the experiment at Duke is a success. Today Apple is getting good publicity. But if Duke renews or doesn't renew the program next year, people might interpret that as a success or failure by Apple rather than what it will really be - an experiment that shows whether or not Duke's particular ideas for using iPods is practical.

 

[stevehaslip]

i bet duke will get beaten up when they play sports! damn kids with your ipods! that or everyone will be walking around with white earphones in their ears.

Teacher: "Smith!!!! why aren't you listening to your ipod!!!! 10 minutes minimum at the start of every lesson! no do as you're told!!"

Student: "yes miss"

instead of reading it will be listening to audio books in english classes!

 

[baseballtwin]

Well, I think we are all extremely happy to get these iPods as incoming freshmen at Duke. I can really see how these could really be an awesome technological experiment, to see how these devices can be creatively used by students and faculty to further the educational experience. Not to mention its about the coolest gadget out on the market. Its quite a nice suprise to be receiving this after sending off my insanely expensive tuition bill!

 

[sinisterdesign]

wow, i used to have to sneak my walkman in class in my jean jacket. of course, i had taped a bunch of answers to the test and listened to them via the headphone i had run down the sleeve of the jacket.

i wonder how long it's going to take before people start selling test answers for download?

about the first week...

 

[jxyama]

Some universities have offered PDA opportunities for their students, only to find the students ending up not using 'em at all. This iPod idea is not too bad, for it gives students something they'll use--even if it's not for educational purposes. On the most basic level, students can use this as a portable drive--no more messing around with network drive space or floppy disks. Beyond that, it's up to the Dukers to figure out how to get the most bang for the buck.

sorry, but i never understood this aversion to network drive space. it's far cheaper and much, much more secure and robust. there's this strange fear amongst tech-averse students that somehow it's not "secure" if you can't physically carry it. (and of course, the same people complain when their floppy gets bent or lost...) i always found that idea strange.

if one needed a removable media, USB key drives are the way to go because they are smaller in capacity and cheaper in bulk, not to mention even more mobile than iPod. and those comparing the capacity, i'd personally be a little hesitent to have so much information (on the order of GB) on my iPod that can be stolen or lost any day. if you have data that cannot fit on a 128 MB USB key drives, then you really should know how to upload that on the network drive.

IT dept. should teach all incoming students how to use network drive space. this is one thing a lot of universities neglect. given proper teachings on how to use it and what the benefits are, students would gladly use it. (not to mention the fact many companies would practically require you to use networked drive space and forbid you to have mobile media for obvious security reasons...)

 

[jxyama]

wow, i used to have to sneak my walkman in class in my jean jacket. of course, i had taped a bunch of answers to the test and listened to them via the headphone i had run down the sleeve of the jacket.

i wonder how long it's going to take before people start selling test answers for download?

about the first week...

that's pretty sad...

but you are probably right about your prediction...

 

[tabascojrc]

anyway, i guess i still don't see the merit of the "experiment." i just don't see much evidence that iPod is the best solution because i don't see the "problem" to begin with.

This may not be just an educational issue. Its another university promoting the responsible downloading of music. Only this time with the Industry Leader. Other Universities have done it, only this time the result has more benefit than just music.

I do agree with suneun, You can't spend your money only on books and scholarships and offer a great college experience. Money has to be spent to shape the whole university. I know I didn't like the fact we overpaid the union housekeeping staff to sit and watch our tv instead of cleaning our dorm, but hey there are far worse wastes of money than that of an innovative product given to students with a multitude of uses.

 

[apple2991]

Great

Now all the freshmen will be immediately recognizable throughout campus--and hated! At least I would if I had been working my ass off at Duke for 2 years and got left out of the deal.

 

[Bhennies]

Knowing Duke, it will come preloaded with Brittany Spears and N'Sync.

hahahaha

 

[^Dukie^]

Now all the freshmen will be immediately recognizable throughout campus--and hated! At least I would if I had been working my ass off at Duke for 2 years and got left out of the deal.

The freshman live on a different campus than the rest of the students, and are trucked around on busses. They are easy enough to pick out as it is.

 

[^Dukie^]

Dear Students:

We're writing to let you know about an exciting new project that may
affect how you and other Duke students learn new material in some of
your classes. During orientation this August, members of the Class
of 2008 will receive Apple iPods preloaded with Duke-related content,
including orientation material such as campus tours, class schedules,
and other audio- and text-based information.

This is a pilot project to help us evaluate the potential of these
devices for educational purposes. We're deliberately limiting the
initial distribution to the first year class, to help us evaluate
more effectively after a year whether the iPods have contributed
significantly to our strategic plan and educational objectives. The
total cost is $500,000, which is being supported with strategic
planning funds that Duke has designated for one-time innovative
technology projects, rather than with funds that might be used for
other operational programs.

A number of faculty members are already developing iPod material for
their courses, although such participation is voluntary and not all
classes will require iPods. Students in these classes will be able to
use their iPods to download course content, perhaps including language
lessons, music, recorded lectures and audio books. Any upperclassmen
in these courses will be offered loaner iPods, so they may fully
participate as well. Indeed, we will welcome your feedback about the
project, as well as any content and ideas you might contribute.

You'll be hearing more about the iPods after you return to campus for
the fall semester, and you'll find more information about it on
www.duke.edu. However, we wanted you to be among the first to hear
about the project, which will be an important new educational and
technological experiment for the entire Duke community in the coming
year.

Sincerely,

Bob Thompson Kristina Johnson
Dean, Trinity College Dean, Pratt School
and Vice Provost of Engineering
for Undergraduate Education

Oh sweet, I get loaner iPods to play around with if my professors want me too....