It’s hard to believe that just a year ago the iPhone made its debut … and with Macworld 2008 just days away, it’s exciting to imagine what’s next. Over the past few months, iThinkEd has joined educators around the world in discussing what convergence will bring to teaching and learning, so we thought we’d kick off the new year by sharing a few of our hopes and dreams for the future of the iPhone in higher ed….

1. iTunes U Push. Over the past few months, we’ve been none to subtle about calling for iPhone integration with iTunes U. Full Wi-Fi access to subscriptions pushed directly to the device would finally make educational podcasting a killer app. We hope the complete podcast directory will soon be available on the iPhone, but for a growing number of colleges and universities, iTunes U is a strategic priority, and we’re hoping it’s a priority for Apple, too.
2. Universal Playlists. Another quirk with iTunes U is the disappearance of content from a course playlist. The iPhone separates audio from video files, creating some confusion for new users. Universal playlists would unify subscribed content by subject rather than type, and we think that would be awfully handy for classroom use. In a perfect world, the playlist would even import PDF handouts added to iTunes U… Mmmmmm.
3. Next-Generation Clicker. Many textbook companies are currently bundling single-function, infrared “clickers” with their books that allow on-the-spot polling and assessment of students. However, these devices and their accompanying software typically don’t allow assessments to be randomized or adapted to particular groups, and their management is often difficult in large-section classes. The benefits of instant assessment for higher education are just too compelling to ignore, though, and having a device that allows randomization and greater flexibility would be a significant improvement for classroom instruction.
4. Reference Suite. One of the most valuable little additions to Tiger was the Oxford American Dictionary and Thesaurus, so these seem a strange absence from the iPhone. Certainly web reference sites abound, but the simple elegance of the OS X app is that every term in the results is a hyperlink itself. A handy reference pack would be a must-have for the digital backpack. Include the ability to search foreign languages, and you’ve got a true road scholar…
5. Scientific Calculator. Another essential part of our dream device is a true scientific calculator (with graphing, of course). The iPhone is supremely well suited to the multiple layouts needed for advanced calculations in trig, calculus, chemistry and stats. If the iPhone is really going to be a handy educational tool and not just a ported business device, we’ve got to look at the most common handhelds undergrads are already toting around with them. An advanced calculator is a no-brainer for the education market.
6. Audio Flashcards. One of our most popular stories here on iThinkEd have focused on using the iPhone as an advanced digital flashcard. Courses across the curriculum often begin with learning new vocabulary. Whether in modern or classical languages, botany or zoology labs, students and faculty are looking for efficient ways to review new terms. iPod games like iQuiz showed that a simple interface could be married with editing applications to serve a myriad of uses. Our dream app would randomize lists for language and vocabulary study, and adding live audio pronunciation to a flashcard application would kick it to the next level.
7. Office Suite. For all the improvements Google has introduced to its iPhone-specific web apps, it’s curious that Google Docs still offers read-only access to online documents. The iPhone is unlikely to become the primary writing tool for research papers and theses, yet it’s a valuable platform for drafting, collection, and even collaborative writing and editing. As productivity suites like Google Docs continue their move to the cloud, we think students will increasingly reach for portable devices as part of the writing process. If our friends at Google know what’s what, they’ll add editing features to their apps right now!
8. Mobile Gradebook. Standard gradebook apps like MicroGrade or EasyGrade Pro have long promoted integration with portable devices through Palm and Windows Mobile conduits. For the iPhone to be widely adopted among faculty, an intuitive, customizable gradebook app for taking grades or attendance in the classroom, in the office, or on the road would be a killer app for the iPhone. Even better, a web-based gradebook with an iPhone portal would eliminate periodic syncing and help teachers and students track progress more easily.
9. Voice Recorder. We know the rumor sites are all pointing to recording capabilities arriving with the 1.1.3 update, and speaking for students and faculty, we’re hopeful. Gabcast has shown that low-quality recording can be invaluable for podcasters on the go, and we can imagine the benefits of weekly exercises in public speaking or German conversation captured anytime, anywhere. Add on-site interviews and audio feedback on student essays or projects, and we think voice recording will soon become second-nature for the iPhone classroom.
10. Personal Trainer. As universities across the country are expanding exercise and wellness programs aimed at students, we think a personal trainer app would invigorate workouts. Like a lot of others, college students have already discovered the Nike+ system, and an enhanced iPhone trainer would make learning about jogging, weight lifting, or cardio classes more accessible, while allowing students to track personal progress. Along with a virtual personal trainer to help count reps and track workouts, our dream app could add a nutrition calculator to help students simply but efficiently monitor caloric intake and diet.

We know that many of these applications are already in limited release on hacked iPhones, but with the SDK coming in February, 2008 this promises to be an exciting year for bringing true convergence to campus. We hope you’ll be a part of this exciting discussion and the development to come.

First, we hope you’ll add your own killer apps in the comments. Second, in the months ahead we hope you’ll consider sharing your own stories of what developers at your colleges and universities are working on. We know that the true success of portable convergence devices in higher ed will come through these kinds of collaborations with one another…

But in the meantime, maybe we’ll see you at MacWorld…