Filed under: Internet Tools, iPhone, iPod touch
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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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Neg said 8:21AM on 5-11-2009
Why is half the stuff you guys post just 3+ day old news from engadget?
--neg
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Andre said 9:24AM on 5-11-2009
Why just the iPod Touch and iPhone?
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jj said 10:24AM on 5-11-2009
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?
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sterling said 10:40AM on 5-11-2009
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.
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Chad said 11:28PM on 5-11-2009
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.
Clevo said 11:33AM on 5-11-2009
you could get the touch with the back to school promotion last year
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adam said 12:15PM on 5-11-2009
That merielle & robert series sounds kinda hot (if you read the controversy paragraph in the wiki entry...)
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garf2430 said 9:12PM on 5-11-2009
Oh wow...a "French in Action" reference. Props to you on that one. I remember those vividly from high school.
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