Duke to Give Students Apple iPods

Since when has it been important to download music,etc in order for you to complete your education? I guess anything to promote enrollment huh? Monday, July 19, 2004 | DURHAM, N.C Duke officials said the iPod distribution is part of a pilot program between Duke and Apple Computer, Inc. that will be evaluated after a year. Duke is paying for the project with strategic planning funds that it has set aside for one-time innovative technology purposes. The total cost of the project is expected to reach $500,000 or more, which includes hiring an academic computing specialist for the project, grant funding for faculty, associated research costs and the purchase of the iPods. "This iPod pilot program is an exciting new component of Duke's strategic plan, which seeks to use information technology in innovative ways within the classroom and across the campus," said Provost Peter Lange, the university's senior academic officer. "We're approaching this as an experiment, one we hope will motivate our faculty and students to think creatively about using digital audio content and a mobile computing environment to advance educational goals in the same way that iPods and similar devices have had such a big impact on music distribution," said Tracy Futhey, vice president for information technology. "We think the power and flexibility of these devices offer some real advantages over other media used to distribute educational content such as CD-ROMs and DVDs." http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/news/ipods_0704.html

At Wake Forest, they give you an IBM think pad your freshman year, and then in 2 years you can trade it in for a new one. Then, by the time you graduate it's yours. But Ipods are a bit extreme since they have nothing (directly) to do with education.

dang! *filling out a transfer application to Duke*

Its a form of organization .. Other Universities should take note .. I think its great .. And Im sure DUKE doesnt NEED enrollment but hey .... :?