The Calgary Board of Education is pursuing a new initiative to introduce the use of iPods as educational supplements in classrooms and libraries.

Some possible applications include portable periodic tables, astronomy charts, graphing calculators and downloadable audio books and news feeds.

Videoconferencing and the incorporation of green screens will accompany the proposed iPod technology.

“Our initial goal is to promote digital citizenship,” Karen Pegler, senior education specialist at CBE, said. “We see this initiative as a balance between safety and ethics.”

Students will bring these devices into the classroom. It is our initiative to use this to help support learning in a way that embraces digital citizenship,” Pegler added.

CBE does not advocate fully replacing traditional means of learning with technology.

—Ruina Zhang