Comments on: iPhone/iPod Touch Requirement

By: Erica Zucco

Erica Zucco — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:22:15 +0000

Thanks for your response! I also have a BlackBerry, and I like it a lot. It’s nice to have Internet wherever I go, and it helps with reporting that way, but I think I would have even been fine with no smart-phone at all, really.
And yes— you don’t really have anything but intro J-School classes until at least sophomore year, when you’d start the most entry level hands-on classes. So the devices would simply be for downloading lectures and school info, and wireless access (as well as experimentation, but that responsibility really falls on students).

By: Erica Zucco

Erica Zucco — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:17:10 +0000

As per downloading lectures- I probably wouldn’t have re-watched lectures in those intro classes, but maybe if I missed class I’d tune into one. I agree that I doubt students would watch the lectures two times, allowing for that “hear-it-three-times-remember-it-better” effect, for sure…. I also wonder whether recording professors’ lectures would be OK with all of them— or if the use of iTunes U would bring into issue intellectual property rights. We’ll see, I guess!

By: Erica Zucco

Erica Zucco — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:10:54 +0000

That’s nice that Macs are the norm at your magazine— it’s what we’re used to now here at the J-School! A lot of students are concerned, though, that the majority of professional newsrooms we’ll eventually graduate and apply for jobs at have primarily PCs. Has this been your experience (or that of any other alumni or journos!) or are you seeing a greater mix as time goes on?

By: jayvee

jayvee — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:17:48 +0000

J-school alum here. I work at a national consumer magazine where Macs are the norm, and almost every editor totes an iPhone or Blackberry. I’m constantly using my iPhone to record interviews, take pictures on the scene, and Tweet. We’re giving students a tool that will help them become good reporters!

By: PatrickWR

PatrickWR — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:24:28 +0000

I still have memories of the textbooks I bought and barely used during my time at Mizzou. This is pretty ridiculous, especially the tenuous argument about downloading and watching class lectures. Plenty of folks had that option waaaay back in 2003 and it didn’t catch on. Why would students suddenly get jazzed about sitting through the same class twice?

Take notes! That’s the one skill they’re SURE to need in a real newsroom.

By: fsk50a

fsk50a — Thu, 14 May 2009 03:44:47 +0000

Personally, I think its ridiculous. I own a Blackberry, which as someone on the MizzouMafia journalism listserv mentioned, most professionals in Washington D.C. uses. Lots of organizations still use the Palm Trio as well. Why does it HAVE to be an iPhone or iPod Touch? If you’re going to teach mobile journalism, why mandate a certain device?

I think it’s a gigantic waste of money especially for freshmen to buy one. Don’t you still have to be a Junior before you even enroll in J school? Plus, how is the iPhone going to be used in the introductory course, which to my recollection was mostly consumed by papers and discussions about ethics. Aside from the practical courses, and aside from the ability to download lectures and have a better reason to skip class, what the hell are people going to be doing with this device?

Speaking of ethics, how is it ethical for the vast majority of the school to own Apple devices, market Apple, and still have the objectivity required to report on Apple?

It truly boggles my mind.

Francie Williamson
BJ 2000

By: Kathlyn

Kathlyn — Thu, 14 May 2009 01:44:17 +0000

Hi Erica,

I wrote about this issue on the blog I started this year: http://kathlynclore.com/?p=254

In general, I don’t think an iPod or iPhone is necessary for students. From what I have seen they’re still too expensive to be an industry standard.

Good luck and thanks for your initiative.