Microsoft Exploring Using Zunes In Education
Jul 2nd, 2008 | By James Lewin | Category: iPods & Portable Media Players, Video PodcastsEarlier today, we highlighted the expansion of Apple’s iTunes U into K-12 education. Now it looks like Microsoft wants to get in on the educational portable media player market, too.
Microsoft is working with Fort Sumner High School in New Mexico and South Valley Junior High in Liberty, Missouri to see how students use audio and video podcasts created by or recommended by teachers and fellow students.
Students were encourage to use the devices at school, during travel time and school trips. Microsoft donate the Zunes to the schools, hoping to get data on how the devices can be used in the classroom.
While I’m a big supporter of podcasts in education, I’m skeptical about schools purchasing portable media players for use in the classroom. Portable media player technology changes so quickly that devices are rapidly obsolete, making it difficult to justify the hard costs and support costs for these devices.
I know of a local school that is looking at using an ipod touch for distribution/access to educational material. With Safari plus wi-fi and other features it would make more sense than a Zuneee.
iPod touch players would be great for kids – but they’ll be obsolete in two years.
Does it make sense for schools to invest in something that’s obsolete in a couple years? I wouldn’t want my taxes going for that!
There’s a reason they’re not called zunecasts.