Japan Introduces Iphones in Classrooms

Normally if a student uses his or her cell phone while in class it could get them in trouble. But now one Japanese university is actually giving its students Iphones to enhance the learning experience.

Taking attendance at Aoyama University used to be a chore, but no longer as the Japanese school is giving over 500 iPhones to students and faculty in an effort to enhance the classroom experience.

When students enter class, they simply type in an ID number on their phones, while a GPS system ensures this is not happening from home.

Aoyama professor Yasuhiro Iijima says students can use their iPhones to answer questions or participate in large classes.

[Yasuhiro Ijima, Professor, Aoyama University]:
"We don't want to use this to simply take attendance. Our hope is to use this to develop a classroom where students and teachers can discuss various topics."

When iPhone sales began in Japan last summer, cell phone operator Softbank saw huge demand for the 3G gadgets, but use of the bells and whistles in class has usually been prohibited.

No longer, and although the GPS tracking function has raised some privacy concerns, students say all in all the phones are saving time and pushing the right buttons.

[Yuki Maruya, Student]:
"Up until now, we've been using little slips of paper to take attendance. But with a cell phone, you don't have to spend time collecting all of those and so I think it's quite nice."

[Yuta Fujii, Student]:
"It's fine if my location is checked while in class, but if my location is known elsewhere, such as at night and such, there could be privacy problems. But overall, I think it's a good system. "

The system will be formally launched in June, and in case a student is absent or just wants to review a lesson, the university plans to record and upload video podcasts of classes, available for viewing anywhere.