newly ancient

Finally, some schools are coming to their senses and adopting the use of iPods in a classroom system. For me, this is a no brainer - especially in language oriented classes. Offer the day’s practice as a podcast that users can listen to and follow along with. Far more useful than the typical list of vocabulary - it would produce far better accents. Of course, one teacher has seen how this can really engage students in learning; by loading English-language learners iPods up with songs and having them define the words used Ms. Poli can generate a lot of enthusiasm. I would love to see the same idea applied in other classes - maybe looking for symbolism in songs or memorizing poetry for English. Auditory, self-directed learning using iPods definitely has a lot of potential. Despite this, I think the system is unnecessarily holding the rapid expansion of this technology back. Honestly, it is incredibly hypocritical to tell students to leave their iPods at home, yet have some students get them in class. (Not to mention being bad on the budget)

But even as students have been told to leave their iPods at home, the school here in Hudson County has been handing out the portable digital players to help bilingual students with limited English ability sharpen their vocabulary and grammar by singing along to popular songs.

Are we that afraid of letting the outside world into our schools? Do we honestly think that the risk is that great of cheating or other illegitimate activity… kids will cheat regardless. Put up firewalls? We hack them. Prohibit iPods? We hide them. Instead of fearing the outside world, let’s try embracing it and see where that leads us? Who knows… it might not be so scary after all. After all… don’t we want to create 24/7, lifetime learners? Despite the blindness to possibility, new iPod programs are certainly encouraging.

I do not have a cell phone but would love to have something as awesome as the iPhone in my pocket… multitouch has amazing potential. Just think of the uses in geography, math, or science? Instead of banning cell phones, we should be encouraging their productive use. When asked to find the population of Spain, students could whip out their cell phones and send an SMS to 466453 (Google). Within seconds, they have the answer back. Compare that to the days when you must find an expensive reference book, flip through it, find Spain, and find the population - only to realize it is 5 years outdated. Enjoy the wonders of the iPhone! Unfortunately, AT&T doesn’t serve Vermont, so I won’t be getting an iPhone anytime soon…