"We are excited about adding a group of students to our research teams," said Dr. Bill Rankin, associate professor of English and director of ACU's iPhone educational research team. "We currently have whole teams comprised of faculty and staff from many departments across campus studying the iPhone and other converged devices. The high energy each team will bring to the table will most certainly help us discover richer uses of this technology."
Fifty faculty and staff have been equipped with iPhones or iPod touches. The iPod touch has many of the same features as the iPhone, including a touch screen, WiFi internet, and the ability to play music, movies and podcasts. The iPod touch, however, does not include phone and camera capabilities.
The iPod touch allows ACU to expand its support for research groups by providing a lower cost alternative, without sacrificing the overall goals of the teams, said Rankin.
Each faculty/staff research team is charged with testing the devices in classroom settings or social settings, exploring how this technology might enhance university life. During the course of the two-year study, each researcher will be required to produce a minimum of two minor projects per semester and one major project per year. Blogging about their findings and experiences, as well as writing white papers and making presentations will be expected from all researchers.
"Our task is to 'make knowledge' about the use of converged devices like the iPhone in higher education," said Rankin. "This is an emerging technology that, to date, has had little in-depth study of benefits and challenges. Through its concerted research efforts, ACU wants to change that and make the results of such studies available to others."
Like their faculty and staff counterparts, the student researchers will work to produce useful results.
"Student involvement in this research will help us think through how converged mobile devices will connect students socially, in the classroom and in their communities," said Rankin.
The other teams include researchers focusing on distance education, living and learning, digital media interaction, social interaction, pedagogical innovations, study coordination and research, and administrative and infrastructure study.
Along with the research project, ACU sponsors a blog dedicated to information about iPhones and other media devices.
"We're extremely happy with initial responses to the blog," said Rankin. "People from more than 20 countries have viewed iThinkEd.com within the first three weeks of its existence."
ACU students interested in participating in the research of converged devices, are encouraged to attend an informational meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 23, in the Mabee Library Auditorium, from 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m. Those interested will meet throughout the school year to discuss, explore and test these new educational technologies and applications.
For more information, contact Dr. Bill Rankin at rankinw@acu.edu.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are a member of the media who would like more information about this release, please contact ACU's Public Relations Office .
