iPod touch, iPhone required for journalism students

Brian Brooks, associate dean of the University of Missouri's Journalism School, knows how his students learn. "Lectures are the worst possible learning format," he told Columbia Missourian. "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."

I can distinctly remember a former French instructor giving us cassette tapes of lessons from week to week (this was long before iPods, kids), and walking around with the voices of Mireille and Robert in my ears. Even all these years later, I can still manage marginally useless phrases like, "The red shirt of my brother is on the dresser."

The point is repetition increases retention, and that's why Mizzou is requiring incoming journalism students to have iPod touches or iPhones to carry audio versions of class lectures. Mr. Brooks points out that students who lack an iPhone or iPod touch won't be punished or miss out on anything, but they've described them as "required" so that students with financial need can include their cost in aid.

Apple has historically offered a laptop/iPod combo as a back-to-school special that these students could potentially take part in, provided that the touch is included (the iPod is typically a nano in the bundle).

The good news is, if you're going to Mizzou next year for journalism, you've got an excuse to buy a shiny new gadget.

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Source: http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2009/05/07/school-…

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Brian Brooks, associate dean of the University of Missouri's Journalism School, knows how his students learn. "Lectures are the worst...

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garf2430

Oh wow...a "French in Action" reference. Props to you on that one. I remember those vividly from high school.

May 11 2009 at 9:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

adam_____

That merielle & robert series sounds kinda hot (if you read the controversy paragraph in the wiki entry...)

May 11 2009 at 12:15 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Clevo

you could get the touch with the back to school promotion last year

May 11 2009 at 11:33 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

sterling

This is half the story. They've been requiring Macs since 2005. At Missouri they point out the over 99% of incoming majors use Macs.

http://journalism.missouri.edu/undergraduate/computer-requirements.html

Northwestern's journalism school is another one that requires Macs. Macs are huge at J-Schools.

I manage IT for UW-Madison's journalism school. All our labs are Macs, and it's what all but 2 of our faculty use. The only reason it's not a requirement for us is because college is expensive enough already without telling students they need to show up with a laptop to get an education. That being said, we are working on making sure all undergrads and applicants to the major know we strongly encourage Macs if they are going to get a computer.

May 11 2009 at 10:40 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to sterling's comment

Chad

this is mostly because northwestern and mizzou have strong convergence programs that require multi-media projects (photoshop, final cut, etc) and lets be honest there is no comparison between mac and pc on that one.

May 11 2009 at 11:15 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

yeah, I don't get it. why not the nano or the classic? or even the Archos or Zune? do they really specify iPhone or iPod Touch?

May 11 2009 at 10:19 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Andre

Why just the iPod Touch and iPhone?

May 11 2009 at 9:24 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

neggies

Why is half the stuff you guys post just 3+ day old news from engadget?

--neg

May 11 2009 at 8:21 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply