iPod Touch Schoolwide Implementation
There are a number of posts from individuals interested in using iPod Touches for teaching and Learning. At Culbreth Middle in Chapel Hill, NC we began a pilot this past August to place the iPod Touch in the hands of staff and students.
Our staff development for faculty to roll out the new technology centered on teacher coaches leading their groups in exploration through professional learning communities.
Our AVID students use the iPod Touch in the AVID classroom and in all other courses. They have piloted this program, using the iPod Touches daily for note taking, keeping individual agendas, translation for world languages, and accessing research through the Internet. In addition, our AVID students use many of the apps that teachers sync with these mobile devices. As student leaders, they’ve understood their responsibility to work and share this learning tool in collaborative groups.
This winter we were able to add iPod Touch labs for each of our seven interdisciplinary teams and two labs for our exploratory and resource teams. The interdisciplinary grade level iPod Touch labs are housed with each team and shared among the four content teachers (math, language arts, science, and social studies). These teachers plan together so that their students have access throughout each day. They access the internet as needed and use many apps as well.
Teacher current app favorites include: WordBook, Thesaurus, USA, Countries, Brain Tuner, Blanks, Whiteboard, CoinToss, Lose It!, Word Warp, FlipBook Lite. Of course they are using the included apps: Calendar, Calculator, Notes, Clock, YouTube throughout each day.
We held an iPod Touch Day last week with visitors from all over the state and from across the country. We even had a group from the UK come see our students and teachers in action with the iPod Touch. With almost 400 iPod Touches now in use at Culbreth, we’re happy to share what we’ve learned and what we’re learning.
Our staff development for faculty to roll out the new technology centered on teacher coaches leading their groups in exploration through professional learning communities.
Our AVID students use the iPod Touch in the AVID classroom and in all other courses. They have piloted this program, using the iPod Touches daily for note taking, keeping individual agendas, translation for world languages, and accessing research through the Internet. In addition, our AVID students use many of the apps that teachers sync with these mobile devices. As student leaders, they’ve understood their responsibility to work and share this learning tool in collaborative groups.
This winter we were able to add iPod Touch labs for each of our seven interdisciplinary teams and two labs for our exploratory and resource teams. The interdisciplinary grade level iPod Touch labs are housed with each team and shared among the four content teachers (math, language arts, science, and social studies). These teachers plan together so that their students have access throughout each day. They access the internet as needed and use many apps as well.
Teacher current app favorites include: WordBook, Thesaurus, USA, Countries, Brain Tuner, Blanks, Whiteboard, CoinToss, Lose It!, Word Warp, FlipBook Lite. Of course they are using the included apps: Calendar, Calculator, Notes, Clock, YouTube throughout each day.
We held an iPod Touch Day last week with visitors from all over the state and from across the country. We even had a group from the UK come see our students and teachers in action with the iPod Touch. With almost 400 iPod Touches now in use at Culbreth, we’re happy to share what we’ve learned and what we’re learning.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Derek Keenan on
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Yes, this works...I had to do it before my cart arrived. There is a limit to how many you can sync at a time (I think it is 20) but as long as it is a POWERED hub, all will be well!
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Permalink Reply by Brad Pascoe on
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Thanks...great solution...we have a group of about 20 classrooms with 4-6 ipods in them...do you have any inventive setup that you can share?
PS
I just got a $800 quote back for a
SC15 Compact Sync/Charge Docking Station
Apple iPod 15-slot multi sync/charge & organize station.
http://www.tribeam.com/product.html#QC15
aaaack -
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I looked at that system too, but for the money and with a class set, the cart made more sense for my project. for 4-6 ipods I would probably invest in something like a 'toolbox' with a hub and cords in the bottom and the ipods stored on the top level. That way users only need to access the ipods. with the right box you could probably 'notch out' sections for charge/sync cords. An added bonus is that tool boxes generally have a lock hole for some minor security. Not sure if that suits your purpose, but it's an idea. Anything too specific to the ipod purpose does get pricey quickly.
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Permalink Reply by Susan Wells on
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Derek,
I wouldn't be at all surprised to see additional options coming out this summer. Keep your eyes open at NECC guys for new iPod touch docking station choices! I think there are more companies seeing educators entering in and our needs are varied. Especially with exceptional children classrooms. There could be a need there for only 8-10 iPod touches, then of course you don't need the large cart to charge and sync 30.
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Susan & Derek,
We are starting a program in our ELD Middle School classrooms with 8 iPod touches, mics, etc. We also have a number of classrooms with 4-6 touches, as well as two 1:1 classrooms (with syncing carts). So we are trying to create a syncing solution for those smaller installations. If we can make our own it will probably be more cost effective, but I look forward to whatever the market will come up with.
Thanks for this community do discuss this.
Brad
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Guys,
Will you be in DC at the end of the month? I'm looking forward to what solutions will be available at NECC. I think there will be many more blended situations with varying numbers of iPod touches. The carts are terrific for larger numbers but the need for something more than a power strip is out there as well.
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Susan,
I will not be able to attend NECC, as much as I would love to. I am marking diploma exams here during those days. Perhaps something to look at for next year. I would like to go at some point, it looks fantastic!
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I'm sure they'll be twittering and the such from the spot. I'll blog here as I learn new things at NECC. I'll keep an eye out for new charging/syncing options.
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I'll not make it either. Please take notes for us. :)
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Permalink Reply by Mike Palmquist on
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Hi Susan,
I hope you'll consider looking at GradePad, an iPhone/iPod touch performance assessment tool for teachers and trainers. It's available at the iPhone App Store for $1.99.
If you're interested, contact me about a Promotion Code for a 4-week free trial download.
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Mike,
It looks like we will be able to move to 1on1 iPod touches for this coming year. With the 500 we have now we'll need about 300 more for each student and staff member to carry their own. A grading app will be something we'll look at later this summer once we get the 1on1 in place.
Thanks,
Susan
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With yesterday's iPhone announcements I'm listening for new iPod touch news... Cameras, video capability on a new iPod touch. Any rumors out there?
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