Duke’s Ipod Program Evolves

Duke University’s iPod program continues to evolve since its introduction in 2004, when all incoming freshmen were given iPods. The Duke Digital Initiative was started to investigate the pedagogical uses for the devices and, despite skepticism from some corners, has proven successful. In the second year of the program, instead of giving every freshman an iPod, the university handed out iPods to any student enrolled in a course designated by the school’s Center for Instructional Technology as having a legitimate use for the device. The goal was to encourage faculty to design curricula that incorporated the technology. Indeed, the number of courses approved for iPod use rose from 19 in the spring of 2005 to 47 in the spring of 2006. New changes to the program reflect budgetary constraints. Students in iPod-approved courses can now borrow the devices for the duration of the term.

Students who want to own an iPod can buy one from the university for $99, about one-third of what it would cost retail.

Inside Higher Ed, 28 April 2006