iPod Touch, Part 1

It’s exciting to think of the ways classroom environments have changed with time. Here we are posting ideas of how to integrate an iPod Touch into our classrooms! Who would have thought this 50 years ago? The education system is changing and as teachers we have the opportunity to incorporate innovative technology into kids’ worlds that will make their learning very enjoyable.

Below I talk about three students in my main placement who I feel would benefit highly from using the iPod touch for certain activities.

All the students’ names have been changed to protect their identity.

A)

Steve is a student that gets distracted easily. If a student in his table moves the desk slightly or makes a noise, it completely throws him off to the point where he begins making noises and becomes a distraction to his classmates. I have noticed that when the teacher starts playing music, he clams down and seems less stressed. This is what brings me to the idea for Steve’s situation, which is to give him the iPod along with some headphones. With this he can listen to soothing classical music I have downloaded, allowing him to focus only on his work and not become distracted with his surroundings.

B)

Ines is a student who seems to struggle with spelling. What is particular about this student is that she doesn’t like asking for help. Once I offer my help to guide her in sounding out the words, she is accepting of the assistance. Still, she is refusing to ask for help when she needs it herself. Overall, she is a quiet and shy student, and I feel this plays a major role in her reluctance to speak out. For a student like this, who in her writing has displayed an interest in marine life, I would have her play the Spelling-Wiz-Oceans game on the iPod. It will introduce her to various marine life and increase her vocabulary as well as enhance her spelling skills.

C)

Kevin is another quiet student who struggles with math. He seems to be distracted a lot in class lately, mostly towards the last part of the day. I have worked one-on-one with him and math seems to be of no interest to him, and his grades are suffering. He saw me walking around the room with the iPod recently and he seemed interested with the gadget. My goal would be to set a daily goal for him during math. If he can complete the assignment (or whatever goal I set for him) he can use the iPod Basic Math application for the remaining ten minutes of the lesson. I feel that using the Basic Math application where he can practice addition, subtraction, and eventually multiplication and division, he can become interested in math and actually begin to enjoy it.