Using iPods In Instruction

Many people do not realize that iPods can be used as an educational tool in the classroom. I visited many sites and found numerous ideas on how to incorporate iPods into the classroom. I also came to find that you can use them in all grades. One of the sites I visited was iPods in the classroom. This site gave me the idea to use iPods in elementary classes by having appropriate music on there to play in class. I have always learned that music is a great way for students to learn and an iPod is an easy, convienent way for the teacher. Also, for older students iPods are a great way for students to catch up on a lecture they may have missed or for them to watch a videcast about a subject they are not understanding. Another great use of the iPod is for students to be able to record themselves when reading. This is a tool I wish I had when in school because I could never remember what I read and would retain it better if I could listen to it.

I also found a school who launched an iPod shuffle reading program. For more information click here. These school teachers would upload stories onto the iPods and send them home with the students that night. According to the site it was a great success. The teachers stated that the students were more motivated to take the iPods home to listen to the stories. I love this idea because it gets students excited to listen to the stories. Many children now days are more inclined to listen, or watch something rather than raed it.

In addition, I also researched Duke University iPod Experiment. The University gave first year freshman an iPod to use for their studies. They used the iPods in about fifty classes that ranged from foreign languages to music. Also, many students learned that you could download files onto the iPods and use them to listen to lectures. In the end,the results of this study is that 60% of students used them for educational purposes. Now Duke University is giving out the iPods to the classes that used them the most.