iPod-Ready School Uniforms

Monday 18th of August 2008 03:28:21 PM

You can think what you want about today’s children growing up dependent on electronics, but it’s quickly becoming a fact of life. Marks and Spencer has created quite a stir by launching an iPod ready blazer worn over plain or embroidered shirts.

The blazer has built-in controls designed just for the iPod. The blazer is designed so that the iPod is hidden while the jacket is being worn. In fact, Marks and Spencer has created a whole range of school uniforms that can accommodate the iPod. The jackets not only hid the iPod itself, but the wires are also concealed.

A student can listen to the iPod and no one will know unless noticing the ear piece is being used. The jackets and blazers are ethically produced having been made out of recycled materials. The material has been made using recycled plastic bottles. The design of the blazers is quite clever in that the iPod does not create any bulges when installed. There are lapel loops for hiding wires and concealed controls too.

School teachers are not happy with the uniform design. They are concerned that students will be able to sit in class and listen to their iPods undetected. While Marks and Spence is touting the water resistant finish on the clothing, the teachers union has branded the clothing as “irresponsible”. Teachers are already having troubles with students using electronic devices in the classroom and see this jacket as another problem they will have to deal with during studies.

In fact the NASUWT has taken a stand against the blazers and jackets designed to hide iPods. Teachers must deal with students breaking the rules now with cell phones and other devices. Making it easy for students to hide their devices will only aggravate the problem. Many parents agree. Since most schools ban the use of electronic devices in the classroom during instruction, it doesn’t make sense to the teachers to have students wearing uniforms that have been designed to make rule breaking easier.