An iPod Classroom?

Journal Entry Question #2

Watching lectures through an iPod is certainly a new and unique way of learning for students. Students are able to watch lecture videos anywhere they want to. Students who are also more "hands on" can benefit from these video lectures. However, i do not think that learning through an iPod would be as effective as learning from a person to person contact. They will gain a "lazy habit" because they will no longer depend on textbooks. Instead, they can just get information through the video. By watching lectures through the iPod, students will begin to lose communication skills they would learn in classrooms. Also, students will not interact with their teachers and fellow classmates as much as they would, if they start using the iPods to learn.

Another problem that would be caused by using an iPod to learn is that not everyone would be able to afford an iPod video. Those who cannot afford to buy an iPod will feel left out and will not be able to get the oppurtunity of listening to lectures anytime they want. Their only way of method to listen to these lectures will have to be through their course website. Another problem is the increase amounts of iPod theift. iPods will be stolen more because if students are allowed to listen to lectures through iPods, they will be able to bring their iPods to school, which means that there is a higher chance that it could be stolen.

Mary Ward is known for its self directed program. Using iPods would be useful for students who have missed their seminars because they can just download the video lecture and send it to their iPods. But i personally do not think that we should grasp this idea of using iPods for lectures because Mary Ward students will begin to lose the skills they are needed to learn in classrooms, such as communicating and consulting with the teacher and interacting with other students. Also, the cost of using iPod for lectures will be far too expensive, and some students will not be able to afford iPods. The problem of theift also has to be taken into consideration. Some students would also just use the iPods as a way to avoid using textbooks.