Today is the first day of Fall 2007 classes at Fordham University, where I teach.  I have an Intro to Mass Media course, which I teach every term, and I’m looking forward to.

I have a policy - which I’m pretty relaxed about, as I am about most rules - about cell phones and laptops in the classroom.  In general, I discourage students from talking or texting on their cell phones during class.  But laptops are ok.  I know students IM on them, but the laptops at least provide the possibility of looking something up - sort of an encyclopedia or library on the go - and that’s fine with me, even during one of my lectures.

But ... what should I do about iPhones?  I have no idea how many students will have them today, but it’s a sure bet that more and more students will have iPhones in the future.  The iPhone, obviously, is a cell phone and web browser.

I’m going to err on the side of open systems.  I already encourage my students to read blogs, listen to podcasts, watch videos on YouTube - it’s written into the curriculum.  If my students want… more...