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Chris Harris

An iPhone for Every Student
June 12, 2008

The iPhone is going to take over schools, so why fight it? I would like to suggest that schools buy an iPhone for each of their students, or at least an iPod Touch. Even given the very small size of the netbooks discussed yesterday, the iPod Touch still wins the battle for portability. The battery life is much better as well even under the load of full screen video. While an external keyboard would be a nice addition, the iPod Touch is still decently usable for text

entry. Think about it - for about $200, students get a handheld computer with connectivity, a way to stay organized, access to educational media, and now even more applications.

It is the even more applications piece that changes everything. When the Application Store opens for business on the iPhone and iPod Touch in July, library and school specific tools will be much more available. I would be very willing to bet that in addition to many games, early application releases will include dictionaries and a more word processing- like writing application supporting desktop sync.

Add to these all of the built-in capabilties of the iPod Touch or iPhone (calendar, contacts, notes, calculator - soon to be scientific! - and all that glorious media) and I strongly believe that you have a real winner for schools.

(Photo courtesy of Apple)

Posted by Chris Harris on June 12, 2008 | Comments (3)

June 12, 2008
In response to: An iPhone for Every Student
P. Skelly commented:

Can you sign up on any phone service with these or are they specific to one company? Internet access on a Verizon phone is $45/month. Is it the same for the iPhone?

June 12, 2008
In response to: An iPhone for Every Student
Nadine commented:

My son who is 10 just saved his money from the holidays and his comunion to buy himself an iPod touch. My husband and I went back and forth about this - internet access that's open and not monitored like our home computer scared us. But to be honest, we have been more than happy to see him using it to look up things that are interesting to him, like maps and the GPS (he located ALL his favorite places including grandma's house). He just discovered the applications that are available and he's downloading that, too. What I liked best is that wireless service is FREE (since we have it in the house) AND there's no phone charges. He can email, but can't text, but CAN email to a friends phone. Overall, I think that technology is here and some kids really DO find exciting and relevant things to do with it. With the right guidance and teachers to demonstrate how cool learning can be, the ipod touch could revolutionize the classroom.

June 20, 2008
In response to: An iPhone for Every Student
Justin commented:

Chris, I just received an iPod touch from the fine folks at OCM BOCES. They're interested in having me develop a curriculum with handhelds, particularly with an iPod Touch. From my own research there are some ideas floating around out there. Kathy Shrock has a blog called Kaffeeklatsch where she posts some content and her experiences with an iPod touch in educational settings.