Michigan's "no iPod left behind" budget proposal

Facing a $1 billion budget deficit, Michigan state House Democrats have proposed the natural addition to such a weighted spending plan: free iPods for every kid. Ostensibly for educational purposes, the $38 million plan would provide iPods or MP3 players to every student in Michigan to use as a learning tool. We've seen laptops -- which Michigan (and Virginia) handed out to its students a few year back -- and even PSPs be put to such educational use, but iPods are a bit of a new one on us. Pearson Education does have that curriculum for the iPod, and bought Apple's PowerSchool a little while back, but this would undoubtedly be the largest rollout of such curriculum to date. That said, we're all for the insanity, 'cause just like our iPod always told us: "We don't need no education... Teachers leave those kids alone." And if the iPod says it, it must be true!

[Via The Raw Feed, picture courtesy of Anti iPod]

[kingofwale @ Apr 6th 2007 4:01PM]

what a great way to use the tax payers money.

can you scream, MONOPOLY??

[NarfPointZort @ Apr 6th 2007 6:04PM]

Monopoly...?

[Pat @ Apr 9th 2007 2:25AM]

Well while I don't agree at all with spending Taxpayer money in this fashion, if you are going to do it do it right. Apple simply has the BEST product.

[Jake B @ Apr 6th 2007 4:02PM]

Ridiculous spending such as this is what is drowning out this country. The American auto industry is in shambles so their very own state decides to blow tons of cash, what a great idea! You have to love politicians these days, out the door with common sense, in with spending!

[henk @ Apr 7th 2007 10:18AM]

Tell the American auto industrie to built the equivalent of an Ipod on 4 wheels...

[Jeff @ Apr 6th 2007 4:04PM]

Wait... huh?

[Austin @ Apr 6th 2007 4:05PM]

Yeah... other than educational podcasts, I REALLY see no educational benefit to handing out iPods to kids like they're candy. However, $38 million is really chump change. Not a sum to get too worked up about, if you ask me.

[urbanpeasant @ Apr 6th 2007 11:14PM]

Dude, you're not from Michigan. Our economy right now is worse than it was in the depression and economists don't think it'll get better for ten more years. $38 million isn't chump change to us.

[skshrews @ Apr 8th 2007 10:02PM]

"$38 million is really chump change. Not a sum to get too worked up about, if you ask me."

What division of the state government of Massachusetts do you work for?

[anonymouspimp @ Apr 6th 2007 4:07PM]

Why not supply the kids with something useful like a low cost UMPC?

at least then it can be used more effectively ... taking notes ... recording your schedule ... an iPod has such limited functionality. This is a total waste of government money... but you know the kids aren't going to complain.

On the other hand, Michigan will be the first place where an iPod is no longer "cool" to have, since everyone will have one. Interesting thought...

[tim @ Apr 6th 2007 4:13PM]

"what a great way to use the tax payers money.

can you scream, MONOPOLY?? "

I don't think that word means what you think it means.

[myscrnnm @ Apr 6th 2007 4:15PM]

I recall this being done already at some college, Cornell possibly. The students were given complementary iPods (fourth-generation) to get text from the school.

[kingofwale @ Apr 6th 2007 4:18PM]

actually I disagree, being an Economics major, I believe I have some idea what it means. but feel encouraged to humour us please.

[August @ Apr 6th 2007 5:01PM]

Man, I'm sorry.

Your parents or someone else paid you to go to school to learn that.

[Tyler Durden @ Apr 6th 2007 4:19PM]

This is just stupid, I'm 17 and I have an iPod, only use I have for it is listening to music once in a while. If the teachers or whoever was incharge of this silly plan believe that it will be used as some tool that they can use to record themselves and then hand out .aac files to their students so they can rehear lectures, they're horribly wrong! And if that was their cause, they could have gotten a cheap 10 dollar recorder instead of something that probably costs them 200 dollars per piece (with discount). This generation of kids is going nowhere but downhill

[Darkerweb @ Apr 11th 2007 1:48PM]

I happen to be in the 'current generation of kids', how can you say that the generation of KIDS is going downhill when it was the ADULT lead government that was so idiotic as to spend 38 million on iPods instead of repairing schools, hiring more teachers, or spending on better materials...

Who are the morons? Not the kids... The adults that gave the iPods to them...

[Joe Davenport @ Apr 6th 2007 4:22PM]

Now I know why I moved from that state. The government is killing the economy there. iPods to learn? There's no interface! Crazy.

[blamecanada @ Apr 6th 2007 4:23PM]

They would more than likely end up with some other player unless Apple is willing to cut the state a sweet deal. You know how government contracts go.

[GalaXy @ Apr 6th 2007 4:25PM]

I am personally not a fan of Apple products as a whole, but, hypocritically, own an iPod (I won it in a school drawing and had purchased a Dell previously - but that's beside the point). I'm also a senior in college, majoring in Early Childhood Education, in New Jersey. There is a course dedicated to teaching children to properly use technology for projects and as learning tools in general. Part of the course was about the use of iPods. They can be used as learning tools, but I can't see a school district, especially one already in debt, handing these out to every student. Maybe a few hundred to each school, to allow the students to borrow them, wouldn't be an awful idea. My other concern is handing iPods out to older students. If you give an iPod to a six year old and tell them what to do, you probably have a better shot of them not downloading whatever they want.

But that's just my opinion.

[Revrant2394 @ Apr 6th 2007 4:34PM]

Ugh, why would my state go for such a stupid idea? Granholm gets a deficit dumped in her lap and it's just one thing after another, and now this. Sure, we got Google, that was one good step forward, but with the motor industry abandoning us for China we need more jobs, or we'll end up worse than Ohio.

Ugh, iPods for kids, of all the absurd things.

[max @ Apr 6th 2007 4:35PM]

yes, why am i paying taxes again???

[Linda @ Apr 6th 2007 4:44PM]

I live in Michigan, work at a Michigan university and have 3 iPods of my own.

And this is the stupidest idea I have ever heard. The state is strapped for cash and even if the iPods would be purchased for "educational purposes" 98% of the kids would blow off anything valuable and just load on more music.

[macona @ Apr 6th 2007 4:45PM]

Monopolies themselves are not illegal. Abusing the monopoly is what is illegal. There are many existing monopolies in existence today especially in the fields of specialized machine tools, electronic equipment and other fields.

Now if you owned the only heating oil company in a 100 mile radius. If during the winter you chose to charge average rates for oil you would have no problems. But try charging a substantial amount above market value and you would be hit with anti-trust action.

Giving ipods to all of the kids would not be a monopoly. State and Federal Govt often grant a single company to supply a certain item or service statewide or nationwide. This is nothing new. If every kid get the same item there is less problems with tech support, repair, ect.

That being said I dont know what use a ipod in the school would be. Audiobooks, prerecorded lectures? Not sure.

[Brandon @ Apr 6th 2007 4:49PM]

I'm starting to really regret voting for Granholm this term. Not that DeVos would've been much better, but I highly doubt that he would've ever even given a moments thought to a lame-brain idea like this one. Didn't they do a recall in California a couple years ago? Maybe it's time for one of those here in Michigan.

[Charles @ Apr 7th 2007 8:55AM]

I agree that this seems like a bad idea, but it was the *HOUSE* Democrats who proposed it, not Granholm.

[Travis Loker @ Apr 7th 2007 12:33PM]

I doubt Granholm is going to pass sign this....shes no idiot....

[tim @ Apr 6th 2007 4:55PM]

What in "what a great way to use the tax payers money." leads to monopoly? When a school board buys Dells or Mac or HPs for a district doe sthat make it a monopoly?

Maybe you want to "scream MONOPOLY" for some other foolish reason (for which you'd still likely be wrong), but nothing about this story "screams MONOPOLY."

[michael @ Apr 6th 2007 4:56PM]

Apple rocks, yeah!

[3rdsun @ Apr 6th 2007 4:57PM]

That $38 million would buy a good set of OLPCs for real educational puposes

[kingofwale @ Apr 6th 2007 5:02PM]

>What in "what a great way to use the tax payers money." leads to monopoly?

in case you haven't noticed, those two lines are in DIFFERENT paragraph. there was no connection between then.

and yes, it would lead to monopoly, this isn't Dells a school buy for themselves. but something they LENT to student to bring home. There's a major difference. you think anybody in the state of Michigan will buy another MP3 players again?

[Geoffrey Sperl @ Apr 6th 2007 6:35PM]

Ummm... dude, all I have to say is: WHAT?

Can you actually look at the screen as you are typing and then read it before you press the "Add Your Comments" button? Nothing you are writing is making any coherent sense...

[Pinkerton @ Apr 6th 2007 5:04PM]

The word of the day is "gimmick". IMHO, they should focus more on things that increase critical thinking skills in children.

I do believe that every kid should have at least a thumb drive, scientific calculator, etc. The Libertarian in me says it's not the state's job to provide any of these things, but the parents, or perhaps the school district. Keep these decisions local.

(lives in Michigan)

[Drkmstr104 @ Apr 6th 2007 5:19PM]

I agree that this is definately a bad decision, considering that there are better ways that this money could be spent, MUCH better ways! I want to know exactly why they chose the ipod in the first place, as its functionality limits everyone who recieves one to listening to music, viewing photos, watching videos (depending on which generation ipod they recieve), and viewing text documents.. aside from that there really isnt anything else that is useful for education. No internet connectivity, the lack of ability to take notes, unless having a computer to type them with in class, the fact that no word processing can not be done at all with just the ipod itself is a big problem.
How do they expect the students will actually use these ipods productively? I own an ipod, though I have pretty much replaced it with my Palm (less stuff to carry or worry about), and when I used it at school it was only during the times that my teachers would allow me to listen to music, I have a feeling that these ipods will be more a tool for distraction than anything else.
Not only is this a bad allocation for tax payer's money, it will ultimately prove to be an impedence of student's education. Spend that money towards something better, was the idea of the OLPC too hard for the govt to comprehend?

[v_dogg @ Apr 6th 2007 5:22PM]

gaaay.

[denialG @ Apr 6th 2007 5:25PM]

What's that you say engadget? You've never seen ipods handed out for free as education tools?

http://www.engadget.com/2004/07/20/duke-university-buys-thousands-of-rich-kids-ipods/

[kena @ Apr 6th 2007 5:42PM]

Anybody that closely follows the Michigan budget situation knows that the ipod proposal doesn't have a chance in h_ll of actually passing.

[Randomness @ Apr 6th 2007 5:50PM]

In other news, the RIAA expects windfall settlements -- totaling more than 2x the state's yearly education budget -- from new round of Michigan lawsuits.

[Geoffrey Sperl @ Apr 6th 2007 6:28PM]

Everyone wait a second!

Geez, did anyone follow the trail on this story? And I mean the Engadget editors when I write "anyone."

The link is to a blog entry that is linking to a Detroit News editorial.

An editorial (meaning an opinion piece) from the largest conservative newspaper in the state.

There is no article dissecting the the budget plan, just an editorial attacking it.

Now, I live and work in Michigan and agree that, if this is true, that it's a waste of cash. However, I actually want to see a real article on this - not some Detroit News editorial.

Can anyone find a reference online that breaks the budget proposal down and shows this iPod suggestion?

[tim @ Apr 6th 2007 7:02PM]

"in case you haven't noticed, those two lines are in DIFFERENT paragraph. there was no connection between then."

Fine, you just like to scream Monopoly for no reason other than the word iPod being mentioned. I didn't realize you were one of those.

"and yes, it would lead to monopoly"

I thought it was unrelated? Now, it is? Whatever. No, sorry, again, your notions of what a monopoly is are absurd and misguided. You just hate the iPod.

"and yes, it would lead to monopoly, this isn't Dells a school buy for themselves. but something they LENT to student to bring home. There's a major difference."

No, it isn't. Many schools are lending laptops now.

"you think anybody in the state of Michigan will buy another MP3 players again?"

Umm, yes... the same 20% that do now.Are you suggesting that their experience with an iPod will be so good they'll never want anything else? Okay, so what's wrong with that? Being so pleased with a product that you never buy the competition ever again is just the opposite of a monopoly.

[NJ Brideau @ Apr 6th 2007 9:06PM]

I'm at Cornell, and I haven't heard of it here yet. They definitely did it at Duke though - with mixed results.

http://news.com.com/Dukes+free+iPod+program+has+mixed+results/2100-1025_3-5754005.html

[JuanJohn @ Apr 7th 2007 5:48AM]

iPod has no internet connectivity and no way to edit files... Unless the state plans to install Rockbox on every single ipod, then the students can input text into their .txt files at an alarmingly slow pace (unless they are good at sending txt messages, then they will be somewhat faster.) and how will all of those podcasts/ new txt files get into all of the iPods? "Students with iPods report to the Dean's office after lunch to flash your iPod!" lol, They should use the Zune. (jk, jk.) only 3 downloads of material allowed :(

[acidblue @ Apr 7th 2007 10:30AM]

Wow Michigan, it's no wonder that my wife and I fled from you last year. We still own a house, in Detroit, and can't get any buyers. As everyone knows, your economy is ridiculously poor compared to when use to be a leader in the country.

Google opening a satellite office in Ann Arbor is not going to save you. As long as misguided citizens, in a city not unlike Detroit, vote for incompetent governmental leadership (Jennifer, Kwame... I'm looking at you), unions (UAW, I'm looking at you too) discourage education and innovation, misallocation of public funds and resources (still looking at you) then you will continue to fall deeper into your own separate depression.

Well perhaps in a few years you will have a million broken iPods(TM) lying in the streets, polluting what use to be a beautiful state. Oh, let's not forget the millions of hearing impaired young adults that listened a little too much and too loudly to their, let's face it, music not lectures.

Save your money, and get your act together. Some of us didn't want to leave our freinds and family, but had to because you had failed us for the last time. I still can't believe that Kwame Kilpatrick was re-elected in Detroit.

Ouch.

[Davin Peterson @ Apr 7th 2007 1:09PM]

That is stupid. iPod's can't record, but Zen's can because it has a built in Microphone for Voice Recording. So, it could be used to record a lecture

[Dayne Batten @ Apr 7th 2007 2:04PM]

Commies. All of 'em.

[Joey Bhananas @ Apr 7th 2007 2:23PM]

Well the title says iPods, but the story says iPods or MP3 players. Sounds like someone's trying to get people to scream "MONOPOLY." But with kids getting fatter every day, I think a free Nintendo Wii would be a better choice, err... for "educational purposes." How many of these kids own a d*mned calculator, by the way?

[Murc @ Apr 7th 2007 3:05PM]

ummm...Is this old news? I'm really hoping this new came out 5 days ago...

cause if its true...the guy sponsoring this idea should be sent to a mental institution...cause obviously all the light arn't on up their.

[Toni @ Apr 7th 2007 8:00PM]

My child's Michigan school does not have enough Math books for each child. They are not allowed to bring home text books because there isn't enough money in the budget to pay for new (or additional) text books.
I pray that our fine governor finds a way to stop this atrocity.

[Tiptup300 @ Apr 8th 2007 12:53AM]

Its a conspiracy to make all their students gay.

[nho @ Apr 9th 2007 7:31AM]

homophobe

[Ashley @ Apr 8th 2007 8:20PM]

Heck a Newton would be more useful