My current thoughts for using Touches for differentiating learning for students are that they are great tools for them. These particular students would highly benefit from an ‘x’ amount of time every day or a few times weekly with an iPod. Teachers can use it for various things too! For one of my assignments, I had to interview five different children. It was great not having to worry about writing everything down. I simply recorded them using the Voice Memo function. Throughout my days, I can record any notes for things I have to complete that night on the Notes application.
My main placement is a second grade class. Many of them are still learning how to sign into computers and search the web. While in computer lab, I see the students becoming more excited with the use of technology. With practice comes comfort, and with comfort comes the desire to explore the possibilities. I’m sure the kids would love to use the iPod for various activities, and I know that differentiated learners would benefit from this. I would simply wait for the kids to continue becoming comfortable with technology. If I had an older class, I would incorporate the iPod Touch immediately. However, for the young kids, I would probably wait until the half year point, unless I can designate some time to teach the specific student one-on-one how to use it.
While I don’t have a lot of experience using Touches in the classroom, the little bit that I do have reinforces my beliefs of the benefits it can bring to any school. My concern is that not all schools can afford this. What comes next? What are other more financially obtainable forms of technology that can be afforded by a school? Are there any? I ask because the iPod Touch isn’t exactly that expensive, and yet most schools don’t have them.
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