In my theater classes this past semester, I tested a variety of applications for the iPhone. Here’s my top-10 list of cool uses, plus 5 things I’d love to see as new software and new versions of the iPhone emerge.

Ten Great Academic Uses:

1. Texting

• During performances of Aida, our homecoming musical, I was able to discreetly text my student handling the body microphones when there was a problem onstage. I often texted about volume issues, but one night we had a microphone go out. I texted back to say the microphone was not working and noted that there was a blackout coming up so the tech could go onstage and fix it. Which she did. Easy!

• Students check their texts far more often than their e-mail. When we were coming up on a deadline for a unified audition in Mississippi, I was able to text each of the students to make sure they had completed an online step that had a brief window of time. It worked.

2. Photos

• We produce an electronic weekly newsletter for our theatre majors and staff called “Theatre This Week.” I take photos throughout the week of various events and include them in the newsletter. We also have an alumni section. When alumni visit or I go to see a production out of town with an alum, I get a picture of them afterwards with the iPhone and include that in the newsletter. Though it’s not particularly high-resolution, it’s handy having a camera with me wherever I go so I can snap a quick shot.

3. Conference Calls

• I’ve used the conference call feature to call two alums during our weekly Theatre chapel. I connect the iPhone to an amplifier, and voila. The alums are able to discuss various problems and solutions they have faced as artists, and the students are able to benefit from their experience. It takes the learning experience to a whole new level.
• It’s also been handy to have such easy access to conference calling when we need to make decisions while the theatre staff are in different locations. Now, we can all discuss issues in real time, even though one of us is in the scene shop, another in the costume shop, and another back-stage.

4. Music

• I’ve often used the iTunes store to download music then play it for classes or other activities.
• Reading through musicals that might be prospective vehicles for shows, I’m able to use the iPod feature to listen to the music while reading the libretto.

5. Podcasts

• Podcasts for use in class and chapel.
• The convenience of finding the podcast and downloading it to the iPhone saves a lot of time searching for the correct podcast.

6. Google Maps

• While traveling to Jackson, MS, with 17 students, the Google map feature became indispensible both for directions to the audition site and to find area restaurants (not to mention finding my way back to the hotel when I got lost).
• I also love that I can map a particular vendor and then call that vendor by tapping the phone number.

7. Internet

• This incredible feature has been invaluable; I can’t begin to name the many different ways I have used it for everything from IBDB (Internet Broadway Database) to searching a date on Wikipedia and, of course, to check iThinkEd.com. I probably use it 20 times a day (a modest estimate according to my wife).

8. Mail

• Again, this has been a great asset; I stay much more current, answer quickly and delete instantly because I can answer from anywhere.

9. Notes

• I use this for both personal and professional situations.
• It’s excellent to have when a student catches me in the hall or at rehearsal and requests a play or something that I might easily forget.

10. YouTube

• I have used this less frequently, but it’s certainly a great library of material for classroom references.
• Now that I have the AV cords to connect with a projector, I can show select videos in class or rehearsal.

Five Humble Suggestions
1. Video

• The capability to video would be my number one priority for the iPhone.
• So much of what I do on the job–e.g., auditions, rehearsals, scene work–would all be enhanced if I could quickly video a student and share it immediately.

2. Calendar

• For ACU, the calendar on the iPhone homescreen does not sync my contacts and ACU calendar.
• Since we are able to do that with the mail button, I’m eager to get that connection for the calendar.

3. Battery

• An improved battery would be helpful.
• If I am on the internet for long, the battery life is greatly reduced.

4. Faster Internet Access

• Faster internet access would definitely be a boon.
• Now, I’ve become spoiled by the speed of a WiFi connection.

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