Students at a rural school in New Mexico made an unusual pledge last winter: Right hands raised, they promised to take care of their Zunes.
This past semester, nearly all 100 students at Fort Sumner High School were outfitted with the Microsoft media player, similar to Apple's iPod, enabling them to watch videos and listen to recorded lectures created or recommended by teachers and fellow students. It was one of two schools nationwide taking part in the project.
The students were encouraged to be linked to their devices during class hours, on bus rides home and on school trips. Teachers got a $400 bonus for coming up with lessons to identify 20 downloadable digital lectures that supported their lessons and to develop five of their own.
