Beloved by students worldwide, iPod is becoming a presence in the classroom as teachers discover its many educational uses. At heart, the iPod's appeal is about its easily accessible audio and visual content in an attractive and conveniently sized package. Mechanically, the product is mostly a hard disk drive (although some models use only flash memory) with a small display screen. The iPod's many capabilities and associated technologies each present distinct learning opportunities, inside and outside the classroom. So where should a school or district start in building an effective plan for using iPods in their curriculum? According to veteran iPod integrators like Robert Craven and Katherine Hallissy Ayala, commitment, resources, and training are all key elements. Also crucial are a piloting faculty core and an instructional technology staff to support the group through initial training in use and troubleshooting, and in an iterative exploration of content. Additionally, anyone at all involved in program development initiatives inevitably emphasizes the importance of hands-on training. The debate continues over the educational usage of iPods. In some districts, as in Orange County, the iPod is coming to be regarded as a classroom essential. In other schools, it's considered a distraction, and along with other MP3 players is officially banned from campus. One thing is certain: For the foreseeable future, students will continue to acquire and use iPods. One thing that's less certain: Will educators choose to swim with the tide, or against it?