Using iPODs and Podcasts in the Classroom

The tool that I am blogging about is using iPods and podcasts in the classroom. I got the idea from www.learninghand.com. This website was very interesting and gave great ideas and new ways that teachers can use handheld computers in the classroom to enhance learning and incorporate technology in the classroom. Learning in Hand is a resource for educational technology by Tony Vincent.

Podcasts are a great way to get free audio or video in your classroom! Podcasts are audio or video on the web that can be automatically downloaded and are ready to sync to a mobile device. There are thousands of podcasts freely available and they are organized in several different directories on the Web. Teachers can access all different types of podcasts online. There are many different subjects and topics. Teachers can use podcasts as a research tool, a tool to enhance learning, or use it as way for students to express their creativity.

Podcasts can be accessed through websites online or on iTunes. This is a free program that students can download on their computers to access many different podcasts. The students would need to have an iPod or some other MP3 player in order to listen to the iPod without a computer. In today’s technology, if a student were to subscribe to a podcasting channel that their teacher ran, every time they hooked their iPod up to the computer, they would automatically get the latest information that their teacher has posted. However, if the student does not have an iPod, the teacher can also post the podcasts online or the student can listen to the podcast for free using the iTunes program. For help on finding podcasts using iTunes, check out this website: www.apple.com/itunes.

The teacher can create podcasts on a school website as a way for students to review material covered in class or as a way for parents to see what their children are learning in class. Podcasts would also come in handy for teachers and students if they were absent for the day. If the student was absent, they could log on the a Podcast channel or website specific to that classroom and listen to the material that they missed. If the teacher was absent, the substitute could play the intended podcasts for the day instead of shuffling worksheets at the students.

The only limitation to using these tools in the classroom would be the fact that not every student has computer access or an iPod. The teacher can help this situation by allowing time at school to listen to these podcasts on classroom computers or even make the student a CD with the podcasts on it. Most students will have access to a CD player.

Many students already own iPods. Many students will be highly motivated to listen to podcasts on their iPods. Research has shown that students are more likely to learn more effectively if it is a subject that they are interested in. I think the use of iPods and podcasts in the classroom will greatly increase intrinsic motivation in students as well integrate technology in the classroom.

Check out Education World's resources about using iPods in the classroom!