“The teenagers’ gadget of choice, the iPod, has been banned by a Sydney private school because they lead to ‘social isolation.’ The principal of International Grammar School, Kerrie Murphy, said her decision to ban the palm-sized stereos, which can hold up to 10,000 songs, coincided with the international debate on how ‘people were not tuning into other people because they’re tuned into themselves.’ She was also worried that students using iPods could not hear teachers, that the iPods put stress on ears when played at high volumes and were a security risk. ‘They allow students to avoid communication with others and may lead to social isolation or escape from our community,’ she told parents in a letter last week,” Linda Doherty and Jordan Baker report for The Sydney Morning Herald.
“Mrs Murphy said yesterday that significant numbers of her Ultimo secondary school’s 500 students had shown up at the start of new year with iPods, presumably given to them as Christmas presents,” Doherty and Baker report. “‘I think iPods are fantastic, they’re brilliant pieces of technology but kids don’t need them at school,’ she said.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Banning is always nice, but what if the school had actually tried to incorporate the popular iPod into the curriculum instead? You know, like Duke University? Oh wait, that might have encouraged learning and increased participation instead of fostering resentment and also would have required creative thought by a school principal. Silly us!
Geez teachers are dumb. Banning ipods does not stop childern listening. Let me see what other music players are there?
creative zen/nomad, rio karma etc etc
MP3 flash players
Mp3 cd walkmans
radios
This is either a publicity stunt or they really are just dumb. Having come from a private school, bumb really could be the explanation.
Dave
Before you say that an iPod detracts from a community, there must first be a community in place. At my high school, iPods, cellphones, etc. were never allowed in classrooms. I don’t know if it was a rule or a matter of respect, but either way it was something you just didn’t do. You’re in class to learn.
On paths between classes, there isn’t enough time to stop and talk to people, and 10 minutes is enough time for a couple of tunes, so why not allow an iPod then? If you want a snack or lunch or something and you’re alone you could either be reminded you’re alone or listen to your iPod. If someone you know/talk to comes in, you take the headphones off and “interact with the community”. It’s not hard to have a community and an iPod coexist, when there’s community to be had.
There’s no community on the paths, and the community certainly isn’t visible when you’re alone at lunch.
-Michael
your reason is bogus, social isolation is the best argument you can think of sydney private school, then you guys are incredibly iggnorant