Instead of being seen as an inconvenient distraction to learning, many are now considering the iPod ‘s potential as a teaching tool.

Many teachers allow iPod s to be used in the classroom during study hours, the Telegraph reports.

While some teachers have banned the popular music listening devices, others encourage their use during individual study hours, claiming they help keep the students quiet and boost concentration.

“I have started to allow them when students are doing their work,” one secondary school teacher wrote on an education website, reports the Telegraph.

“The results are very positive. Students are less chatty, get more work done and classroom management has improved.”

iPod accessories that could aid in learning are now being developed, such as the iPod MicroMemo that allow recording directly to aniPod and could be an invaluable tool for recording lectures, notes and so forth.

TMC.net recently reported that market research company Student Monitor found that seventy three per cent of college students surveyed said iPod s were more “in” than text messaging, downloading music and even bar-hopping.

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