Edupage, November 08, 2006

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Edupage is a service of EDUCAUSE, a nonprofit association
whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting
the intelligent use of information technology.
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TOP STORIES FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 08, 2006
  Community College Introduces iPod Program
  U.K. Boosts Performance of Academic Supercomputer
  New Supercomputer Uses Different Approach
  Organization Identifies Worst Internet Censors

COMMUNITY COLLEGE INTRODUCES IPOD PROGRAM
The Community College of Southern Nevada (CCSN) is launching an iPod
program to try to find out if the devices can assist in student
learning. Students in the five or six classes in the pilot program will
be loaned iPods by the institution. Faculty in those courses will
augment the syllabus with podcasts of lectures and other lessons, as
well as additional resources, such as music or other recorded material
that helps explain a concept. After the semester is over, faculty
involved in the program will be surveyed on whether the devices
improved student outcomes; if so, the program is likely to be expanded
in later terms. Lester Tanaka, an instructor at CCSN, said that
students today are immersed in technology and expect college content to
take advantage of it. Faculty can continue to lecture, he said, which
will simply put students to sleep, or they can "step up to the plate
and deliver the material in a way that is more palatable." Richard
Carpenter, president of CCSN, noted that "the students who have
appropriate self-discipline will love it. Those who don't have that
may not do as well."