iPods in Instruction???????

When I first read what we had to do for this assignment I couldn't believe that teachers actually used iPods for instruction. Who ever would have thought the day would come when students could listen to an iPod an not go to the principals office for it. Go figure!!!! But I searched the internet and found places all over the world that allowed iPods in the classroom for instructional purposes. This was so cool I wished that when I was growing up that we could bring an iPod to school and not have to hide it from the teacher. I tell you these kids have it made!!!! LOL!!!!

I ran across a school in Des Moines Iowa that allowed the students to have iPods that were used for students had reading disablities. A teacher named Sandi Rankin came up with the idea for students to listening to the iPod with their reading assignments programmed into the iPod. The iPod allows for a student to perform a test and reading assignments at their own pace. This is such an exciting idea. I never new that iPods would be a useful tool in the classroom. This was such a great idea for those students who fall behind their peers in school. The iPod allows for them to work at a steady pace and catch up with their peers.

At Duke University freshman students are given free iPods to use for instruction in the classroom. Students are encouraged to use them in the classroom as tool for learning and enhancing skills. Students are allowed to record lectures made by professors. This brings a interactive environment into the classroom. What student at Duke University wouldn't love a free iPod.

I think Duke University is own the right track with their students. What better way to get the students involved. They are doing something right because everywhere you turn someone has something stuck in their ears. This is a great idea and I hope it carries on to all schools across the country. This will allow the students to learn more information and retain it better. You can hear a professors lecture over and over again and want miss a thing they said. This will bridge the gap between education and online media based technology. This is a new age and technology is moving in the classroom. So check out this website about Duke University and what they are doing for their students: http://dukedigitalinitiative.duke.edu/