On April 7th, 2009, the journalism school at the University of Missouri made a bold move: they sent out an email to all incoming freshman telling them that, in addition to their other school supplies, they’ll be required to have an iPhone or iPod Touch. The requirement has since been changed to include other Internet-ready, portable gadgets–quashing brand-specific criticisms–but the debate rages on.

Toy or Tool?
Listening to lectures between classes, researching statistics on the go, having breaking news sent right the palm of their hand–the potential, practical uses for one of these devices are numerous. The question is, will students use their new toys for good or ill? The few professors who came out against the new requirement (9 against versus 40 in favor) argue that students will be checking Facebook, not facts, during class.

Anyone who has ever walked into a large lecture hall filled with laptop-laden students, has seen that at least half of the screens aren’t covered in notes. Students chat online, play games, and otherwise escape the realities of the classroom while appearing to be rapt note takers. It’s just a fact of life. The idea that requiring students to carry an iPhone-like device will in any way change this reality is almost laughable. Some will be playing; some will be paying attention–let their grades sort it out.

Footing the Phone Bill
Another big criticism of the new requirement is the cost. Tough times equal tight budgets, and in addition to the high, up-front cost of these devices, service plans come with quite a price tag. Will the university be offering additional aid to cover this? No answer on that front yet, but probably not. College is a notorious drain on the ol’ budget, making this requirement bad news for parents and working students.

The Internet is Changing Everything
The fact of the matter is that in Internet is changing the way we do most everything. I’ve often wondered what will replace the collected-letter genre–will we buy books composed of collected tweets? Status updates? Text messages? Odds aren’t good. That’s a small price to pay, though, for the new levels of productivity we’ve acheieved thanks to instant communication and research.

When asked about the new requirement, Jeffrey Cole, director of the Center for the Digital Future at the University of Southern California, said, “It really shows how both journalism and education are changing in transformational ways. The biggest effect the Internet will have is not how we play or communicate, but how we learn.” I think he underrates the communicative advancements a touch, but–it’s true–the Internet is changing the way we do most everything. It’s quite possibly the most important invention since the printing press, and I, for one, am excited to see what the future holds.