The iPod and Duke University

In 2004 the people at Duke University and their Center for Instructional Technology came up with a novel idea. They distributed over 1600 iPods to first-year students, CIT Duke Unviersity. This project was implemented in an effort to encourage its use in academic education on campus. In June, 2005, an evaluation was performed, “Duke University iPod First-Year Experience Final Evaluation Report.” It determined which iPod uses were most productive. As well as any aspects of the iPod that would help form programs in the future with regard to Duke’s academic and technology goals. Many benefits were discovered, such as more convenience for faculty and students by using portable course content and less dependence on paper and textbooks. It was also found that the iPod offered flexible, independent access to digital multimedia course materials which reduced hours spent by students at the lab and library. The iPod provided simple and effective recordings of small group discussions and interviews, its use increased student interest in class discussions, labs, field research and independent projects. And lastly, it provided enhanced support for individual learning, which I believe is the most important benefit of all listed.

This evaluation also identified 4 institutional impacts of the project; an increase in communication within the campus technology support groups; publicity generated by the project produced many contacts, partnerships, and collaboration with other higher education institutions; sparked conversations between faculty, staff, administration and students about the best role for technology in teaching; publicly increased Duke University’s commitment to technology and allowed collaboration with regard to technology with Stanford University, Ohio State, Pennsylvania State and Missouri School of Journalism. I feel the IPod project at Duke helped spread the word among universities that the iPod was a valuable tool for teaching in the higher education field. Duke University and their Center for Instructional Technology were instrumental in bringing this groundbreaking technological tool to the forefront of academics.

In the span of one year, the use of the iPod as an academic technological gadget basically exploded! As of December, 2005, the student use of iPods QUADRUPLED at Duke. Also, academic courses that used the device in the classroom actually doubled in only its second year at the university. Duke News. The projection for the 2006 Spring semester is that 1200 students in 42 courses will use the iPod in lectures and assignments, versus the previous Spring semester where 280 students used it in 19 courses. As mentioned above, the Duke iPod First-Year Experience, eventually grew into the Duke Digital Initiative (DDI), which promotes the effective use of new technology in higher education. DDI promotes the development of digital technology, such as digital audio and video, as well as tablet PCs in the classroom. These tools capture the students’ interest and encourage them in their studies. It seems that Duke University has set off a national race for other universities to get “technological” via the iPod. I think it is a great concept and I hope it reaches South Alabama very soon.