Freshmen and upperclassmen alike are toning up their thumbs in preparation for the fall’s “iPhone saturation.” But putting an iPhone or iPod touch in the hand of every student will do more than just increase the number of videos downloaded from YouTube.
Several ACU students presented research on the effect media technology has on students and professors at the Undergraduate Research Festival on April 12. They examined students’ reaction to the iPhone, teachers’ preferences for communication technology and ACU’s continued activity in programming new applications for Apple products.
Amanda Keany, junior actuarial science major from Watauga, surveyed about 50 students about their experiences with the iPhone in class. About half of them owned an iPhone, Keany said.
The study showed students have used the iPhone mostly as a social networking tool to this point. Many students were actually frustrated so few of their professors utilized the device during their lectures, Keany said.
“People don’t use it very much right now in class,” she said. “That’ll at least get a little bit better when everyone gets one.”
iPhone saturation may make interaction with students less frustrating for professors, as well, according to a study: Student/Teacher Communication Through Various Forms of Media. Three students, including Alison Austin, junior psychology major from Abilene, surveyed ACU professors, asking how they preferred to communicate with students.
Professors rated e-mail above calling or texting, Austin said. However, while the study showed professors enjoy the convenience and flexibility that communication technology affords, Austin said most do not appreciate the informality e-mail and texting can foster.
Despite this drawback, Austin said she believed iPhones will benefit professors by cutting the time they spend answering students’ questions in person by making digital communication easier for students.
“I think people are a lot less inclined to visit the professors’ offices when they are able to call, text and e-mail on one device,” Austin said.
Brittany Kight, junior information technology major from Corpus Christi, predicted iPhone saturation would allow many more professors to transition to mobile learning in the classroom. Kight facilitated a different transition to the digital age with her research. She worked on a project that brought together 17 professors and students in art, information technology and journalism to put the Optimist on the iPad.
Though the team she was a part of successfully completed the first phase of its project, Kight said she doesn’t expect ACU to stop programming for Apple devices any time soon.
“I think professors will use the new apps that the students create along with the quizzes they already utilize,” Kight said.
