FAQ: iPods in the Classroom December 3, 2009
*NOTE: There are many different versions of iPods. Not all iPods will perform the same function. Be aware of what your iPod can do before attempting all of the functions listed below.
Q. Is listening to music the only thing to do with an iPod?
A. No! Although music is the most commonly used feature of iPods, there are many other applications for your use. For more information, refer to questions 2 and 3.
Q. What applications are available on my iPod?
A.
- 1. Audio books
- 2. Games
- 3. Music
- 4. Video
- 5. Podcast
- 6. Photos
An audio book can be a recording of a book that you can listen to word-for-word on your iPod. An audio book can also have added sound effects and background music to the story.
More Information about iPod Audio Books
Games on an iPod can be similar to the games you would find on a cell phone. Some examples of games are Tetris, Pac-Man, Solitaire, Texas hold-‘em, etc. However, there are also many educational games that are available.
More Information about iPod Games
Multiple songs can be uploaded to an iPod for your listening pleasure. They can be imported from CDs, downloaded from the Internet, bought from online stores, etc.
Movies, YouTube clips, personal videos, etc. can be uploaded to an iPod and watched for your entertainment or for educational lessons.
A podcast is like an Internet version of a radio talk show. These can be found most commonly in the iTunes store under Podcasts.
Personal pictures or pictures from the Internet can be uploaded to an iPod.
Q. How can you use iPods in your classroom?
A. iPods can be a very useful tool in helping children of all achievement groups in many areas of the classroom. You can have them listen to an audio book while following along with a hard copy. Audio books model how to read with fluency and expression, and can increase the children’s desire to want to read.
iPods can also have educational games that your students can play that relate to math, science, reading, and other content areas. You can also use music in the younger grades as clean up music, wiggle songs, or learning songs. Short video clips can teach your students about science concepts and clue in to the visual learners as well as your audio learners. Along with showing videos, you can upload pictures of the concepts and demonstrate different ideas through images. You can also use iPods to share educational podcasts with your students.
Video:
This video is an interview with Kurt Johnson, a 3rd grade teacher at Edith Bowen Laboratory School. The question asked to Kurt is how does he use audio books in his classroom in connection with reading.
Q. Can children operate an iPod on their own?
A. Yes! With simple training and basic steps, children can operate and access any function of an iPod on their own. It doesn’t take much time to learn the basics of an iPod. Depending on the children in your classroom, they may already know how to use an iPod since technology is becoming more and more relevant in children’s homes.
Q. How much do iPods cost?
A. It depends on the model and make of the iPod, and where you shop. To give you an idea of the difference in models, we have included this link that is a straight comparison of the four current iPod models as of 2010.
Comparison of 2010 iPod Models
Q. Are they worth the cost?
A. It depends on how much you are going to use iPods in your classroom. If you use them every day to enhance your teaching methods, then yes—it’s worth every cent.
Q. How can I afford to get iPods for my classroom?
A. There are various grants that you can apply for to get money for your classroom. If you specify what you are going to use the iPods for, there are a lot of grants that will give you the money to purchase them. Some teachers will give the option to sync the child’s personal iPod to the classroom audio library and they can listen to everything at home. This doesn’t allow for a classroom set, but can give the child extra opportunities to be involved with reading on their own personal time outside of the classroom.
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