I posted a discussion when the iPhone was first announced about how it could be a revolutionary educational computing platform. Alas, I have not been able to convince myself to plop down the cash for one of these devices, but the more affordable iPod Touch has caught my eye for a lot of the same reasons. I recently borrowed a student's Touch and began playing around with it. The wifi worked flawlessly and I was up and running in no time. I have since been checking out a lot of the apps that are available for this device (in both an unbroken & jailbroken configuration) and I believe that the future I envisioned for these devices is approaching. Google is also configuring applications for these devices as they are a testbed for the coming Android-equipped Google phones.

I'm curious as to how any of you might be using (or dreaming of using ) these devices in your classroom. As computing moves increasingly into the "cloud", the low cost of these devices makes their use more justifiable to administrators, too. Thoughts?

Tags: computing, iphone, ipod, mobile

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I am a classroom teacher that has a set of iPod Touches. The possibilities are endless. I think you just need to start with one or two that arent' afraid of technology. There is so much out on the web on how to use them in your classroom. To give you some ideas, here are some things my 4th grade students did this from March-June:

*used them as spellcheckers--huge motivation for writing!
*how to search/ search appropriate content on the internet/ wikitap
*look up words related to content study (had a student look up bedpan during an Oregon Trail activity)
*boost reading comprehension by reading along with a book on tape or books on the Touches
*look up geographical references in reading as well as other references (my students read "Cricket In Times Square. We looked up YouTube videos of Times Square, used Google Earth to look up The Met, Statue of Libery, Ellis Island, Madison Garden, etc. We also used You Tube to look up music referenced in the story)
* we did research on the solar system (watched videos on the iPods so kids can pause rewind as needed)
*created presentations, hooked up to the presenter and students delivered speeches based on research
*for furn we had math "games," science activities, and other fun apps to keep them motivated.
*typeright apps gets kids motivated to learn where keys are for keyboarding, only they do it with thumbs like texting


This school year I wrote a grant and will be using them to boost comprehension in reading as well as build fluency. My students will read a selection into the iPod, listen to themselves, and then practice to increase fluency--which is directly related to comprehension. We will also practice interviewing skills and use the iPods for recording StoryCorps-type interviews (based on NPRs StoryCorp series).

I can't see HOW you will have trouble convincing teachers to love this technology! Please contact me if you have more questions!
"*created presentations, hooked up to the presenter and students delivered speeches based on research
*for furn we had math "games," science activities, and other fun apps to keep them motivated."

How did you display the presentations - what kind of cables and which software would display through your projector? thanks for any information.
Kelly did you write the Grant? What were the results. I would love to be able to use Youtube in class but our district blocks it on school computers. I am trying to get my Principal to buy just one ITouch. Anyone have ideas on Apps for 6th Science.
I've had some since March 2008 and here is a small sampling of what I managed to do with my 4th grade students:

*used them as spellcheckers--huge motivation for writing!
*how to search/ search appropriate content on the internet/ wikitap
*look up words related to content study (had a student look up bedpan during an Oregon Trail activity)
*boost reading comprehension by reading along with a book on tape or books on the Touches
*look up geographical references in reading as well as other references (my students read "Cricket In Times Square. We looked up YouTube videos of Times Square, used Google Earth to look up The Met, Statue of Libery, Ellis Island, Madison Garden, etc. We also used You Tube to look up music referenced in the story)
* we did research on the solar system (watched videos on the iPods so kids can pause rewind as needed)
*created presentations, hooked up to the presenter and students delivered speeches based on research
*for furn we had math "games," science activities, and other fun apps to keep them motivated.
*typeright apps gets kids motivated to learn where keys are for keyboarding, only they do it with thumbs like texting


This school year I wrote a grant and will be using them to boost comprehension in reading as well as build fluency. My students will read a selection into the iPod, listen to themselves, and then practice to increase fluency--which is directly related to comprehension. We will also practice interviewing skills and use the iPods for recording StoryCorps-type interviews (based on NPRs StoryCorp series).
I read the other day that Apple has ordered a very large number of camera's similar to the iPhone camera. Makes perfect sense, and will crush the point-and-shoot camera market. One mention here.

Think about how viable that will make it for the classroom!
I have read this discussion with the hopes of learning from others on how the iPod touch is being used to enhanced student achievement. We have just received our order of 550 Touches that will be spread over 5 schools. It is our initial plans on using the Touch to strengthen mathematics and reading skills. To do this we are planning on using Apps already available on the iTunes store. We will be using the Bretford cart with the goal of sync-ing the Touch to iTunes. One discussion talked about problems with sync-ing 20 iPods. I hope to share with others on their successes with getting large numbers of devices sync. Also I would like to hear about what Apps might be being used at the elementary and middle school levels.

I'm impressed with the discussion I've read and that encouraged me to join this community of educators. I'm looking forward to learning from everyone.
Hi Michael -
Are you interested in phonemic awareness and/or phonics apps for the iPod Touch?
What grade levels, specifically, are you interested in?

I may be able to help you.
I am a Principal in New York. We are piloting an ipod touch program. We have 100 units in the building and 2 wireless carts that have a full class set. Teachers can sign the cart out on a shared school Google calendar. We use them primarily right now for the educational aps but we have and will contiune to develop the ways of using them such as:

Screen cast lesson for review, centers or for students (possible athletes who want to study on busses to games)
Flip cam videos
As student response systems through sites such as www.haveasec.com
Content from itunes u
Creating and listening to/viewing pod cast

We are in the initial stages and are always looking for more ways to utilize this tool. Any ideas?

The kids and teachers love using them, we are now trying to ensure that this technology resources is used to enhance lesson and not a substitute for content and strong lessons.

I created an ap list that my teachers now have access to on our shared Google account. This is a living document that teachers can add to, adjust, or give reviews and ideas on various aps. I have attached the list in its current form.
Attachments:
I am trying to talk my principal into buying 1 ITouch for my classroom for now, before I ask for more. I teach 6th grade Science in Tn. Alot of Earth and Physical Science (Solar System, Tides, Currents, Electricity, etc.) are a few of the things that we cover. Any one know how I go about getting apps written? I see alot of potential for this. I would like one that describes and demonstrates seasons, eclipes, and tides. If you could show students the Earth Moon and Sun relationship it could be very impressive.
I'm running a pilot program in NYC schools using the iPhone as a tool of field science. Back in the classroom, the students review what they logged on the iPhone in the field. The program is called http://thewildlab.org. We provide the iPhones. Touches would work as long as there is wifi around; we make the sightings more accurate (while teaching some STEM skills) by taking lat/long coordinates with each sighting. We're working on an Android version and plan on making the app itself available for free in the iTunes store at the beginning of 2010. It would be great to get classrooms using the iPhones/Touches involved from around the country.

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