Kanye West. Pearl Jam. Professor Walker.

Apple iPods are no longer just for students or music enthusiasts. As recently as two years ago, Fairfield began furnishing professors with their own video iPod free of charge when the professor decided that he or she will podcast their classes via iTunes University.

“It’s very easy,” said biology professor Brian Walker. “It’s not a lot of work to talk into a microphone and upload.”

Equipped with a lapel microphone, which the professor attaches to the iPod, and access to the Internet, the ability to podcast classes has become as easy as checking e-mail. Professors also have the option of uploading their lectures onto iTunes University or their own personal Web page.

With just a few clicks of the mouse, students can download their professors’ digital audio, video or PDF files permanently onto their computer, making it easier for students to access the lessons later on.

“I definitely used the podcasts in my English class with Professor [Richard] Regan,” said Cait Murphy ‘08. “When I was sick that semester, I used it to catch up in case I missed anything important. I think it would be more helpful if more professors used this system.”

Before they can enjoy the perks of a professor who podcasts, however, the student must meet certain requirements. Any student who wishes to use the podcasting technology may only access files for classes in which he or she is registered. Then they must enter their StagWeb information on the iTunes University Web site.

The iTunes University site is a supplemental technology available to students for downloading digital files and media, in addition to the Eidos online course management and assessment system.

Created by philosophy professor Curtis Naser, Eidos has the same capabilities as iTunes University. Used mostly in the Dolan School of Business, it was originally designed in 2001 to do assessments and archive student work.

Since then, it has been redeveloped and is now capable of online testing and sample students scores.

Professors are able to post any file for students to download.

Despite the capabilities of this new technology, some professors are hesitant to use it.

“We just promote what we have, and it’s up to the faculty whether they want to use it,” said Jeff Potocki, the software specialist who helped implement iTunes University on campus.

A common concern among professors hesitant to use podcasting is that students would lose incentive to attend classes.

“It’s a good idea, but what’s the point of going to class?” asked Jerry Lamour ‘11.

One solution Walker suggested is to have students participate in activities that require them to show up to class. Another commonly enforced solution is to take regular attendance and penalize for a certain number of classes missed.

“If the professor made participation points play a big role, then students would show up to class,” said Venus Chao ‘11.

Walker said podcasting is a tool to help enhance the class, not hinder it. “Some die hards will never embrace the system,” he said.