Hype or truth about the iPod as a learning tool?
Recently there have been a number of articles and blog postings about how great the iPod is as a learning tool. Most of this was triggered by Apple’s own statements. But is it true or just hype?
What does the iPod offer me as a student? It offers me the ability to record lectures, class discussion and my own comments or speech/presentation delivery practice. It also enables me to load things (photos and data) to it for me to read or take from school or the training site to my home. Finally, it keep me n schedule.
Could I have done the above in the pre-iPod era? Yes. The iPod in that sense has added little. So then, what has the iPod added? It has added convenience. No longer do I have to use cassette tapes winding and re-winding, or for those that aren’t that old, you no longer have to worry about handing MDs.
The iPod is not so much about something new. It’s about making what we could do much more practical. This is not an inconsequential thing! People are much more likely to record others or themselves now than they were in the pre-iPod era. They’ll do that not only because the iPod is handy but because it’s easy to use and, it’s cool! This is what makes it powerful.
For e-learning the iPod can be an important tool as we can do Podcasting or simply add MP3s to our instruction that can be downloaded to be listed to on the way to work, for example. The iPod or other MP3 players can become efficiency tools for e-learning. They are not a drastic breakthrough but a valuable addition.
Comments on the creative use of iPods or MP3 players in e-learning are welcome!
posted by Gray Harriman @ 12:46 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
I think you are on the right track here. While there has been no breakthrough in technology, there certainly is a convenience factor provided.
The question now is "will mobile phones serve as learning tools, eliminating the hype of the ipod?"
I came across this article that I found interesting, http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=8470447.
One thing I can conclude, is that there are many faults with the current ipod (unreplaceable batteries comes to mind)...if mobile technology can equal that of apple's ipod, I certainly would invest!
Chrissie,
Yes, Mobile phone will both surpass the ipod and become valuable elearning tools. The issue is not "if" but "when".
There is no doubt that the ipod has considerable weaknesses with respect to integration. Integration of multiple features is the name of the game. Telephony, e-mail on the go, live messeging, mp3, cam, and even home devise management controler will merge. Think of it a phones on heavy steroids...
The same trend will affect home entertainment systems where they are merging with comptuer. The day of the stand alone CD or DVD player are numbered. You will be able to store all your videos and music in your computer which will send them wirelessly to your Hi Fi stereo and television systems around your home. Not to mention searching from your TV for items in your computer media library. You can purchase the first generation of these integrating desives from D-Link or Linksys.
Bill Gates sees the coming wave and is positioning MS to benefit. He is not a gambler and aways follows the leader closely, lets them take all the arrows and then overtakes. This is nothing more than a replay of that strategy which has served him so well. If Apple is to have a prayer they need to jump from the ipod to full telephony, and handheld multimedia management.
Why not use what excites students AND can help to support their learning? I think you have the right idea. And I think we are heading toward an era where teachers will be adding all sorts of content to class websites in downloadable, portable formats. A recent news story told of a school district looking for smaller textbooks. How could the SIZE of a textbook be a major consideration in adopting a new text? But maybe iPods and MP3 players hold the answer to delivering massive amounts of content to students in ways that they may find appealing – even fun!
I do enjoy my Kindle, but I am not saying that we should lose books. It is still important in our world to explore print in its many forms, but the possibilities to get students more engaged in their own learning by using their iPods or other devices seem endless. My own school district is wrangling with what kinds of policies to implement in response to the explosion of portable media devices. Some teachers allow student use of a variety of devices and even assign work based in some of these formats. Others are dead set against students using them in class, in the hallway or even on school grounds.
I think that we stand on a threshold (aren’t we always saying that?) of the promise of mobile electronics. Industry hyper aside, creative, innovative teachers will always find ways to employ whatever tools necessary to keep students interested and engaged. iPods, mobile phones, play-aways and handheld gaming is a way into meeting where children live and where their learning and their lives coincide.
Although it has been three years since you wrote this post, I think it is still a good question to ask today. As a high school teacher I notice that most of my students have iPods. I am only a two year teacher, so the classroom in general is new to me. I have had a iPod for 3 years, but only until recently did I begin to use it as a learning tool. I think that podcasting is probably the coolest option that the iPod gives, especially for the classroom. I have been able to download presentations in the area of child development to use as a supplement in my class. My students love it! It is something different than the usual lecture setting. The main issue with iPods is that most school districts do not allow them to be used by students. So I feel uncomfortable at times “breaking the rules” because I’m a teacher. I’ve never had to defend myself, yet, and I am hoping that I won’t have to. With so many websites blocked at our school, this should be one technology that we should be able to keep. So if I had to answer the question I would say “truth”, iPods can be used as a learning tool, and a valuable one at that.
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