Can an ipod really be used for learning? This is the question I am confronted with at every turn. This is the first year of my teaching career and I really think ipods can change the face of student learning.

Many view technology as computers. I adore computers, especially my Macbook Pro. Some teachers are fortunate enough to have laptops in the classroom. Others must rely on the computer lab schedule. I have taken full advantage of the computer lab, but this can sometimes be obtrusive to the lesson. When there, students must log on, find the programme if it in fact exists on all of the computers, and then troubleshoot: “But mine doesn’t have Garageband,” and “That one doesn’t have internet.”  Not that these are major hassles, but they do take extra time.  These minor issues don’t stop me though.  My students have greatly benefitted from having Socials, Science, Math, and French class in the Mac lab.  So, yes, technology is computers.  But, could we be forgetting a very important piece of high tech equipment they carry with them in their pockets?

Many of my students have ipods. These mini music makers are captivating them…truth be told, my ipod touch captivates me!  I feel as though we could use these ipods to, not only increase the interest factor of lessons, but also to encourage students to become involved in their learning process. OMG…I’m starting to sound like a teacher!

So, I’ve been diligently working on converting keynote, screencast, and videocast lessons to ipod files. Students can now review the present tense lesson I gave last week whenever they want! But, I thought I’d take things one step further. It’s great that I know how to create ipod lessons.  But, how does this really benefit my students?  They are merely consumers in this learning transaction.  Why can’t they create the lessons?

Now, my students are working on creating a variety of ipod lessons. Some are podcasting a series of French conversations. They will write, podcast, and create complementary worksheets for the conversations. That way, there are a variety of levels available and students can work at their own pace. Others are creating keynote lessons for grammar, Math, and even Science and Socials with accompanying worksheets. I even have one student who is creating a class webquest project…on his ipod touch!  He has created a website on Google pages via his ipod.  On the site, he has written out the criteria, selected and posted the websites his fellow classmates are to visit to find their information. So, not only are the students going to be learning all of the lessons via ipods, but they are the creators of the lessons.

Many argue that ipods are not a productivity tool.  However, it is only a matter of time before productivity “apps” will be available. There are several podcasting “apps.”  You can create a podcast directly onto your ipod touch and post it online. There are already some rudimentary versions of Word available and why not use Google Docs?

We will probably always know the ipod just like we will always know the computer. We need people and educators to create ways to use ipods as learning tools in the classroom. We should be embracing this technology and using it to benefit student learning.