If iPods are one of the technological tools that students use in their daily lives, then it makes sense for teachers to take advantage of iPods to support student success. It may seem easy to say that iPods are just an evolved Walkman, but the truth is they can do so much more. Besides being able to lis
ten to educational podcasts and recordings from the Internet, iPods also allow students to view downloaded streaming video clips, listen to MP3 versions of books on tape, and view images of people and places they would never have the opportunity to meet or visit.The power of the iPod is not just in the content they can carry, but the fact that the content becomes completely portable and individual. Students who require more repetition and exposure to information can get self-paced teaching and re-teaching of information. Students who lack background knowledge going into a unit or lesson can take time with the iPod to have some of the groundwork laid out for them.
In the coming months, teachers who attended the initial trainings for iPods will be attending follow up sessions to focus on some of the other tools iPods make available. Furthermore, they will have the opportunity to delve into the realm of creating their own content. Think of the usefulness of having teachers creating recorded content for students. Even better, think of the power of having students create their own content for one another.
For more information about iPods, go to the Apple site.
For information about CA BOCES technology offerings, visit our wiki.
