By Sophie Barth
The most visible connection between students'' heads and their book-laden backpacks is a white cord and two circular headphones.
At some universities, this connection is becoming less melodious and more studious.
Apple is jumping the divide between entertainment and education with a new program that allows universities to provide lectures and supplementary course material in MP3 format.
Though BYU has not joined, Stanford University, UC-Berkeley, Duke and others have subscribed to Apple''s new iTunes U program. Students and faculty at these universities can access lectures, guest speakers, tutorial sessions and study guides.
In 2004, Duke gave 1,600 entering undergraduates iPods inscribed with the university''s logo. These students also received microphone devices to help in note taking to meet the Duke Digital Initiative.
'We''re taking in a broader sense of pedagogy ,' said Galen Davis, a Stanford academic technologist associate. 'This mobile program speaks to some students'' learning abilities better than some of the traditional approaches. They can review lectures on the Stairmaster if they can''t concentrate while sitting in a classroom.'
The mobility of the iPod and its new position in academia is drawing attention from universities and private companies alike.
'The major benefit of using iPods in an academic role is that students can study anywhere with an iPod,' said Kurt Goszyk, CEO of iPREPpress. 'Students can even listen to their favorite tunes in the background while they study in the foreground.'
iPREPpress, an online company, sells iPod audio, images, HTML text supported study guides, and Sparknotes.
BYU has also begun to utilize MP3 technology with the Museum of Art''s new podcast. These are audio and visual broadcasts that are distributed over the Internet. The MOA''s current podcast collection includes video interviews with feature artist Milton Glacer as well as patrons'' reactions to his new exhibit.
Students at BYU have mixed opinions on streaming lectures and electronic test reviews.
'It would work pretty well for me,' said Adam Christensen, a sophomore majoring in animation, earphones swinging from his fist. 'I could pop it in between classes, and a recorded lecture would be pretty convenient.'
Despite convenience, the iTunes U program presents a special set of challenges.
'It''s not really my thing,' said iPod listener Kimberly Schull, a sophomore majoring in accounting. 'Usually when I''m just listening, I''m not paying that much attention to it.'
A major challenge for many universities subscribing to iTunes U is interpreting and applying fair use laws.
'It''s an enigmatic law to interpret,' Davis said. 'We''re really treading in new territory.'
And according to Davis, the only way to really clarify the law is through lawsuits-a situation Stanford and other universities are earnestly trying to avoid.