Teachers in Homewood are doing great things with iPod touches in their classrooms. This started with the first grade teachers at Shades Cahaba Elementary and now has moved on to other grades at the other elementary schools. Soon, teachers will have the option of letting students use their own iPod Touches (along with other devices) during the classroom time. These will supplement the technology that is already provided to students and should provide for an even better learning experience in the classroom.
So, what is so special about an iPod Touch?
It is one of the most versatile and easy to use devices for students. iPod Touches provide students with both a still and video camera. By utilizing apps such as iMovie students can take pictures or video and produce their own videos. It is easy to record audio and add it to the background of these movies. Teachers have been doing this already, so the next step is to put this into the hands of the students.
Students that are so inclined can also use free apps such as Kindle and Nook to turn their iPod into an e-reader. Sure, the screen is a bit small, but many students feel comfortable reading text this size and its portability and convenience is very impressive. Many of the text of reading assignments (especially classical literature) can be downloaded for free or at a reduced price over a paper copy. This makes a very large amount of reading material available to students.
There are also a great number of free apps that make the iPod ideal for school. It can be used as a calculator, dictionary, QR code reader, internet browser, dictation device, weather forecaster, note taking tool, calendar, and many other things. Of course, the iPod can also be used to listen to music, audio books, and podcasts. The versatility makes this a tool that can be used in many classes.
As teachers begin to utilize student-owned technology in the classroom, the iPod touch will play an important role. It can't do everything a student needs (for example it would be taxing to write a research paper), but it does a lot of things very well.
