Using iPods in the classroom

While searching the web today, I found many interesting articles about the integration on technology in the classroom. With the increase in the use of technology from day to day, it is important that we as teachers expose our students to technology in the classroom. “Using iPods in the classroom”, is an interesting article about the use of iPods as a teaching tool. At a time when many school are making rules to ban the use of iPods in school, others are allowing them to be used as a teaching tool.  There are many ways that technology can be integrated into the classroom.  The article talks about how one school allows their students to use iPods in music classes. Yet another school is providing the iPods to students studying foreign languages. The students use the iPods to download lessons to their devices. By having the opportunity to download lessons to their iPods I feel that it helps to motivate the students to study inside and outside of the classroom. This is not the only way schools can integrate iPods into the curriculum. Many students are coming up with new ways to study outside of the school facility using this tool during times when they would normally be idle.

My nephew was completing a paper and presentation on classical music. He used his iPod during his presentation to provide his classmates with a sample of the music. This helped to make his presentation more effective. Giving students the opportunity to use these new forms of technology in school not only helps to motivate the students but also helps with their creativity.

In the article the author also talks about how many educators and institutions are resisting these new delivery methods. Using iPods as educational tools is clearly a risk. Schools have to worry about how to positively and effectively integrate this tool into the curriculum as well as how to prevent students from abusing the policies set for school use. One school has created an iPod club to monitor the use of the tools. I feel that we should allow the use of this technology. Because of the increase in use of technology it is important to provide students with the opportunity to use these tools in school. By doing this it will help teach students how to properly use these tools. It will also help with their success in life because technology is only going to improve and use will continue to increase.  

Parott, J. (2007) Using iPods in the classroom. Retrieved from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/23065/using_ipods_in_the_classroom_promotes_pg2.html?cat=4