Group Four Tools: The Ipod Touch

Wow! There are so many thing that you can do with an iPod touch. I have really enjoyed experimenting with this tool and I have found so many uses for them in the classroom. The benefits of using the iPod in the classroom are that they are basically a mobile learning tool. Students are not restricted in location (other than wifi connection), they are able to go outside and take pictures, come back to the classroom and create a movie and then go to another classroom and share their learning. Below is a list of some of things that I have used that would be beneficial in a learning context.


Sock PuppetsThis app allows students to setup a scene and then record a message for 30 seconds. I could see this being used in the early years as a way for students to express their feelings if they were feeling nervous or anxious. Students could talk to teachers, guidance councilors or other students without the pressure of face to face confrontation. This would also be great as a hook to a lesson as it has been used below.




Notes
Students are able to write down key take-away points during lessons. This might be advantageous for students with Aspergers Syndrome who have trouble focusing and the texture of the iPod screen and tapping on the keypad could be soothing to them.

Google Maps
For use during social sciences, sharing about different cultures.

iBooks
There are many free books on here for, this could be used for gifted and talented students to have access to more challenging texts. They are accessible whenever the student needs them, no need to worry about library borrowing time limits.









Story Kit

Students are able to take existing book and edit the text, add photos and colour. This could be used to innovate or change stories including characters and events to make "twisted" stories.









Weather

 A great way to record weather locally, nationally and internationally on a daily basis. This could be used for experiments in Science or comparisons between different countries.










Mytalk

 There are many different icons that students can add to their dashboard based on their needs. When tapped these icons say the name, for example if you touch the green tick it will say yes. This could be used for students with a Speech Language Impediment (SLI) or students who have English as a Second Language (ESL). There is also another app called MLS which translates language and speaks the word using correct pronunciation, this could also be used for ESL students.






Spelling test
Teachers or students can make their own spelling test by creating a bank of words and recording their voice saying each word. The program follows the Look Say Cover Write Check routine.

Alphatracing
For use in the early years, students become familiar with the shape of letters by following the train that is tracing the letters.

Reel Director
This is a great program for creating videos. Students can use photos that they have taken from excursions add sound and video and then upload straight to youtube. Please see the video I have created in week 2 using reel director for a look at what it can do.

Youtube
Google
Social Networking
including blogging and wikis

Australian Curriculum
This one is for the teachers, the app has been set up really weel to be user friendly on the iPod touch. Teachers are able to choose strands and content descriptors for multiple age levels with ease. This is a great companion for teaching without having to print of the curriculum or be restricted to a desktop.

As you can see there are a lot of ways to use the iPod for learning and the best part is that it can travel anywhere with you making it an easy to use anywhere learning device.

Thanks for reading.