My school gave me an ipod, what do I do with it?

Hi everyone! I'm Michelle Adler, a special education teacher in Lincoln, NE. I'm new to this whole blog and discussion board thing, but I'm going to give it a try. I have a question though for those of you who use technology more than I do.

My school received a grant in order to get some technology in the resource room. I have an ipod with about 100+ apps on it. I give it to my students when they have free time. I'm curious how other people with ipods use them in their classrooms.

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Permalink Reply by Ben Stafford on January 22, 2011 at 7:00pm

There are plenty of Apps for phonics and math facts. You can look into audiobooks from Audible and some of the interactive books from the iTunes store.

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Permalink Reply by Kelly Sigler on January 22, 2011 at 8:25pm

You could Skype with students in another classroom to discuss something you've learned... My 3 year old daughter loves to use the voice recording feature to say random things and listen to herself - Could you create podcasts of your students sharing something they're passionate about? If it's the latest version (4g) with cameras, your students could create videos of themselves reviewing a great book and post it to youtube for a global audience. I was at a fantastic 3 day workshop this week and my biggest question from here on out is "WHY?"... Why are you using it? Is it just to take up time or give kids virtual worksheets, or is it going to be a tool you can use to teach them to be digital citizens? Don't let your lessons revolve around the iPod... It's simply a tool, like a pencil or paper. Figure out a great lesson, then figure out how you can take it further with this new tool at your disposal. Good luck! :)

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Adler on January 23, 2011 at 4:28pm

Thanks for the ideas. I think the next thing I need to learn about is Skype. I have never used it but it appears I am going to have to learn.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Adler on January 24, 2011 at 6:46pm

I do have a projector and an ELMO. I think I am going to have to start talking to the district about getting more apps. They are not allowing us to download apps on our own. I think it has something to do with the iTune account.

Since I am a resource teacher, it would be nice to find some podcasts that I could use to either help build background knowledge or reinforce concepts taught in the regular classroom.

Thanks for the ideas.

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Permalink Reply by mrbadura on January 24, 2011 at 4:29pm

I just introduced the Web 2.0 tool Quizlet to our elementary teachers that have iPods last week. There are apps on the website that you can download and then have your created quizlets pushed out to their iPods. I think this will be a great addition to our iPods. Kids will be able to study vocabulary, spelling, etc., while on their iPods at their desks.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Adler on January 24, 2011 at 6:47pm

I will have to look into that. I think I may even have a Quizlet account. I know I was trying to create some flash cards on my iPod today and it was taking forever.

Thanks for the idea.

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Permalink Reply by Joseph Odom on January 24, 2011 at 7:51pm

I don't have an iPod but I do have an iPhone. There are some really great apps for teachers. I use iGrade for Teachers and Teacher Pal to help out with grades and behavior. If you have access to wifi in your classroom Mobile Mouse lets you use your iPod as a mouse for your computer. I use the Pronto Forms app to track behavior. iReward Chart and Reward Chart are two apps I use for behavior interventions with the resource students that are in my class. I teach math and I really love Number Line, iFormulas and Basic Math. eduTeacher is a really cool app for teachers that helps you find technology. I hope this helps

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Permalink Reply by John J Caprice on January 24, 2011 at 9:52pm

Dear Michelle,

Please review this discussion:

http://www.classroom20.com/forum/topics/ipod-touch-schoolwide?comme...

You will discover a wealth of information.

JJC

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Permalink Reply by Sean Junkins on January 25, 2011 at 7:52am

Start creating! Check out http://hcstechcoach.wikispaces.com/iPod+App+List for some ideas...

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Adler on January 25, 2011 at 7:46pm

That looks like a lot of great apps. My problem is that I am told that I can't put apps on the ipod myself. I will inform the people at my district to look at some of those apps though!

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Chris on January 26, 2011 at 1:03am

I have been making my own podcasts for students (mostly for students with reading difficulties) of reading material that has content to which I want them to have access. Example: research material for social studies or science. I have been also podcasting my assessments for science and social studies. Students can listen to the questions, allowing for better access for all students. I have gotten a lot of positive feedback from students who have told me it takes off much of the pressure of assessments, knowing they won't have to struggle with the reading.

Students with writing difficulties can use a recording app, like voice memo, to record information instead of writing it. There is Dragon Dictation (speech to text app) as well (haven't used it with kids yet - hope to this week).

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Adler on January 26, 2011 at 8:24am

I do have the Dragon Dictation app and have used it with kids. I just got a better microphone and it is working better than what it had been. I had problems when I used the little microphone that is on the earbuds. I like the idea of creating a podcast for assessments. Thanks for the idea!