Subscribe by EmailUniversities hand out free iPhones to students
August 24, 2008 by Mark O'Neill |
Mark O’Neill
Contributing Writer, [GAS]
In a move which will do no harm to the Apple share price, some US universities are starting to hand out free iPhones and free iPod Touches to new students. The benefits are obvious - be seen as a cool cutting-edge university, and at the same time, encourage your students to use the devices in their education. But not everyone is on board with the idea.
The opponents are obvious - the professors - who are concerned that their students will spend more time fiddling around with their new toys than listen to the lectures. But they seem to be outnumbered by the supporters of the scheme.
The first supporter is obviously Apple who are keen to snag students as early adopters of Apple technology. Get them now while they are young and hopefully they will continue to buy Apple products for the rest of their life.
The second supporter are the universities themselves (minus the grumpy professors) who want to attract more students to their campuses. They are also exploring the possibility of making useful learning applications which students can download to their iPhones, making their devices useful learning tools. As far as the universities are concerned, this is the way of the future so what’s the point of fighting it? Better that they get on board and go with the flow.
The lucky students who receive a free iPhone have to pay for the contracts. They only get the phone free, and once they have paid for the contracts, they can then connect with the campus wireless network.
So is this the way of the future? Should universities be handing out free iPhones to incoming students? Or are professors right to call them a distraction?
[Via Washington Post]
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I understand the knee-jerk reaction from the professors, but how is having an iPhone in class more of a distraction than having a laptop on your desk?
Id rather my school gave me a laptop.
Hey, something to sell to help pay for tuition!
i think you can compare this with the idea of “everybody a laptop in class”, that idea was thrown into the world with great excitement,…but only a few now use it. I think the best way is still some pen and paper, and some good working ears. Of course the iPhone will have it benefits as agenda, or trading papers and so on. But the best thing you need is a simple pen and paper, if you ask me.
As a retired professor, I suggest that we give all students an audio recorder, so they can record and then listen to the lecture and class discussion again to clarify their notes. It is not easy taking notes.
hm indeed it’s not easy, but i taught you could use your iPhone as a recorder as well….i think you can