The purpose of this presentation is to share how to get technology into the hands of every student, every class, every day as one of the basic tools for education. As the technology revolution continues to take command in entertainment and telecommunication of our students’ lives outside of school it is critical that we integrate such technologies into their learning experience to make it relevant to their real world.

Our biggest struggle was to find a way to get technology into the hands of students on a daily basis that they could in turn take home and utilize even if they do not have access to a computer at home. The most cost effective solution would be handheld devices with a per unit cost of less than $300. Not only could these devices handle calendar functionalities, but they could also carry student assignments in the form of text, audio, and video.

Participants who visit this poster session will learn strategies that have been road tested by our faculty and students with the video iPod. These ideas include podcasting (both audio and video), use of the iPod as portable storage, for digital flash cards, and to review class notes to name a few. Student, parent, and faculty surveys of the success of the program will be shared as well as how the feedback was used to improve the program.

Outline

1. Teacher Driven Uses
o Audio
--Foreign language studies – listening to foreign language texts to hear proper pronunciation and for students to practice speaking and hearing their own voice in the language.
--Literature – students can hear readings of famous works to enhance their experience. These devices can also handle audiobooks which is helpful to learners with limited English proficiency (LEP) and learning differences such as dyslexia.
--Music – students can hear works of music from various composers anytime to assist them with practice outside of school and expand their knowledge of musical composition.
--Social Studies – students can listen to the sounds of other cultures, such as music and language samples bringing the social studies off the page and into the real world. They can also subscribe to radio programs such as NPR for current events.
--General – lesson reviews, and class summaries can be posted for review outside of class. Not only will this help with studying for tests, but also assist student who are absent from class. Parent could also use these lesson reviews to help students with homework.
o Video
--Literature: students can watch plays being performed rather than just reading the script from a book or listening to a reading.
--Math: students can view and hear how problems are solved through the recording of work done in class on the SMARTboard. The SMARTboard is a digital white board capable of recording sound and things displayed on the board, including all things written on the board.
--Social Studies: students can watch the latest news broadcasts through podcasts, such as ABC News Now.
--History: Colonial Williamsburg is available through podcasting. This is a video series bringing historic events alive for students.
--Fine Arts: students can view and hear lectures on various works of art on their own time without the need of a computer.
--General: United Streaming and Discovery Channel School has been available online for download as streaming video for a few years. It could easily be turned into podcasts for students to watch as a homework assignment rather than taking up class time.
o NOTE: The advantage of using podcast on individual student devices means the students can take all these items home with them to be viewed anytime, anywhere (on the bus to a road game, the drive to and from school, etc.). They can also pause, replay, and review items as needed. Because this is both an audio and visual tool it addresses many modes of learning.

2. Student Driven Uses
o Audio
--Foreign language – students can record their own voices to check for proper pronunciation and practice of the spoken word.
--Language Arts – students will create their own readings of famous works, create audio presentations, and practice speech.
--Student News – radio type broadcasts of events such as sports games (especially away games), Art and Academic competitions, and similar events could be recorded and then re-broadcast through the use of podcasting.
--General – student created audio tours allow visitors to our campus to find out more about our student artwork and GIS (geographic information system) maps on display throughout the campus. Enhanced audio files will allow for the display of static images along with the spoken word to help with the tours.
o Video:
--Student News – Bishop Dunne broadcast journalism students currently record and broadcast Talon TV. Video podcasting allows them to take their news to the online community and will enhance their production skills since they will be addressing a larger audience.
--General – Student created tours of the school could be posted online highlight many programs that are important to the students.
o NOTE: The use of student created podcasts is a wonderful way for students to share about their experiences to the rest of the educational community and also teach other students around the world about programs that are meaningful to them.

3. Results
Results were based on participants selecting answers on a scale of 1 to 5 – with 1 being the low and 5 the high score per item. The survey looked at key areas including: previous technology experience, growth of technical knowledge, and classroom use.

Demonstrations and time spent on each area will vary based on interest of the session attendees. Printed posters will display graphics of survey results and the laptop and iPods will be used to demonstrate real classroom projects.

Supporting Research

Multiple Intelligences and Instructional Technology, Second Edition
Walter McKenzie, ISTE Publications

Learning in Hand: iPods in Education
Tony Vincent
http://www.learninginhand.com/ipod/index.html

“iPod in Education: The Potential for Teaching and Learning”
Shelley Pasnick, Winter 2007, Sponsored by Apple, Inc.

Presenter Background

M.S. Computer Education and Cognitive Systems, University of North Texas
National Award Winning Teacher and Author
• National Council for Geographic Education, Distinguished Teaching Award
• National Council for Geographic Education, Geography Excellence in Media Award for Mapping Our World: GIS in Education
• Contributor to Partnership for 21st Century Skills, ICT Literacy Map for Geography
Bishop Dunne Catholic School
• 21st Century School of Distinction by Scholastic and Intel
• Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Lighthouse School
• SMART Showcase School