Andre Yoskowitz
9 May 2009 16:53
The University of Missouri's journalism school has just added the iPhone/iPod Touch to the incoming Freshmen required supplies.
"Lectures are the worst possible learning format," said Associate Dean Brian S. Brooks. "There's been some research done that shows if a student can hear that lecture a second time, they retain three times as much of that lecture."
Brooks did note however that theoretically any MP3 player could be used. "You could use a Zune, for example," he noted.
Why Apple devices then? Simply because being so expensive could benefit students on financial aid.
"If it's required, it can be included in your financial-need estimate," Brooks added. "If we had not required it, they wouldn't be able to do that."
By having an Apple device however, it is easier to download the lectures, as it has a special section in the iTunes Store. "There are about 50 other schools across the country that are doing this," he concluded.