Sydney private school bans iPods
updated 01:50 pm EST, Wed March 23, 2005
School bans iPods
The teenagers' gadget of choice, the iPod, has been because they lead to "social isolation." The principal of International Grammar School, Kerrie Murphy, said her decision to ban the devices 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. 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. "I think iPods are fantastic, they're brilliant pieces of technology but kids don't need them at school."
Hmmm...
03/23, 02:10pm reply
That's interesting: a school that bans technology instead of embracing it. I tell you what: if my kids were going to that school, they'd be pulled for the simple fact that if such a gross generalization as 'promotes social isolation' can be used in this particular case, who's to say where this would stop?
Fact is, schools should be embracing technology instead of fighting it. Mac, PC... who cares? One way or the other, kids should be exposed to such things because these are the things they'll be using when they enter the real world... or, at least, a real school.
Just my two cents... I don't know what the conversion rate is, sorry.
gambit23
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2004
It's a good point
03/23, 02:11pm reply
I never knew anyone to take a walkman to school when I was a kid. You are at school to learn and socialize.
Now, if this is a boarding school, I disagree. They should be allowed to use iPods when studying, during leisure time, etc.
hayesk
Professional Poster
Joined: Sep 1999
If it was a problem...
03/23, 02:29pm reply
... then I have no issue. And since I'm not in Australia, I'm just going to defer to the judgment of the principle. Since kids are in school primarily to learn, iPods obviously stand to distract from that goal. The point about socialization is also good, but a bit harder to defend because if a kid wants to be a loner, he'll find a way.
PookJP
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2001
Isolating?
03/23, 02:58pm reply
So far private schools have done a fine job that doing that themselves. Believe me, I attended private schools most of my life.
JohnnyFive
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2003
real world? since when?
03/23, 03:31pm reply
Fact is, schools should be embracing technology instead of fighting it. Mac, PC... who cares? One way or the other, kids should be exposed to such things because these are the things they'll be using when they enter the real world... or, at least, a real school.
Since when is school about preparing students for the real world? High schools generally help prepare for University and College, which help prepare in joining the academic community (a liberal arts education, anyway). Trade schools help prepare students for the real world. or whatever the real world is at that moment.
besson3c
Clinically Insane
Joined: Mar 2001
It's fine...
03/23, 06:46pm reply
As long as they are banning all music players.
Otherwise, you ain't takin' my iPod from me!
Eriamjh
Addicted to MacNN
Joined: Oct 2001