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.
- Attachments:
-
-
IMG_0113.JPG, 478 KB -
photo.jpg, 161 KB
-
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Susan Wells on
-
Mark,
We have a large university study underway--we've just completed the first of a three year study. But we also have a set of questions we used with students in our first year in terms of action research, we're happy to share.
-
Permalink Reply by Deon Scanlon on
-
I'd be interested in seeing your questions, too, Susan!
Are you able to post a document here, or email it to me?
Thanks
-
Permalink Reply by Mark Marshall on
-
Yes would appreciate some survey questions. I came across some from someone in this discussion but am afraid I'll never find the link again
-
Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Bonsignore on
-
Susan,
If you forwarded a link to information on the university study (and the survey questions you mentioned here to Mark), could you re-forward?
Thanks!
-
-
I've been trying to gather information about the costs of buying a "set" of iPod touches for classroom use (estimating about 20-24 total), plus a sync cart, if we can swing it.
How have others bought their iPod Touches for similar pilot programs?
Is there an educators' link or package from Apple that someone can point me to?
(Thanks!)
-
Permalink Reply by Brad Pascoe on
-
Order mics also. :)
-
-
Thanks, Brad!
What type of mic would you recommend? I saw a mini-mic on Amazon for ~$3 USD, but it got mixed reviews, and others in the range of ~$15 USD (rap cap and thumbtacks).
Also, is there a good mic/headset combo out there? (Skype calls, maybe)....?
-
Permalink Reply by Sandy on
-
I order from monoprice.com Item # 5873 Premium Earphones w/ Mic for Apple iPod iPhone 3GS, $3.28@. Don't hold up as well as the real deal, but for this price, you can afford to replace them.
-
Permalink Reply by Janice Friesen on
-
After trying several different types we decided to go with the ones you are talking about. We have not used them a lot, but I think that for the price they are perfect. We will see how they hold up next year.
-
-
I'd recommend one that has a cable connecting it to the iPod. That way, students can put the iPod on the desk and keep the mic closer to their mouths for recording slideshows and such. We use an expensive one (the Shure MPA-3C-K-EFS ~$30) - one advantage it has is that you can plug a headphone in to it, but I sure there are generic ones. Will have to try the ones Sandy mentioned.
Silicon cases are useful - the keep the iPods from sliding off desks.
Also, the Bretford sync cart is great (pricey, tho). The Bretford suitcase (syncs/charges 20) is not a good option - you can't close the thing up due to heat.
-
Permalink Reply by Jim Hoffman on
-
I found them on buy.com for $3 each. Seem to work great.
-
-
We decided to go with a Bretford cart. It holds 40 iTouches in two drawers. You can sync one drawer at a time. We only have 20 iTouches so far. Our Mac representative sent me a bid for the whole set of itouches, the cart and a mac for syncing. There are less expensive ways to go, but this works and it is all in one, so we are happy with it.
Report
Win at School
Commercial Policy
If you are representing a commercial entity, please see the specific guidelines on your participation.
Badge
Follow
Awards:
© 2024 Created by Steve Hargadon.
Powered by
