The iPod is for more than listening to music!

When you first got your ipod, be honest...you used it to listen to music that you downloaded into iTunes. Then, perhaps you got brave and downloaded a video or two. If you have an iPod Touch, you might have even downloaded an app. But, you keep hearing about all these great ways to use iPods in the classroom and are thinking to yourself, "Right!? I don't want my students distracted from my teaching by listening to music or playing games!" Well, if you have that attitude, you are not thinking like a 21st Century teacher.


Besides using your iPod to up your "Cool Factor" you can really put it to use as an educational tool. Here are some ways you can adjust your thinking and learn how to use the iPod as a tool instead of a toy.







1) Differentiated Instruction
If you have students that struggle with reading, why not record passages and let them listen to the audio while they read. Some students understand instructions better when they are verbal. Why not provide them with the opportunity to have the instructions available in an audio file, so they can go back to them at any time.

If you have students that excel, why not have them provide the audio content...this frees you up to help students individually.

It is easy to create audio content for the ipod.

• Use Audacity to create audio files. This is a free program you can download from the Internet at Sourceforge.
• Use a Web 2.0 application to create an audio file.
• Buy an inexpensive mic to plug directly into your ipod to record audio.

2) Podcasting Anyone?
Podcasts are an excellent way to teach, whether you have an ipod or not. First, what is a podcast? A podcast is a syndicated release of episodes of information - like a weekly radio or TV program. You can find podcasts on any topic and podcasts can be audio or video releases (you might be able to find podcasts that offer both options).

It is important to remember that a podcast is ALWAYS FREE. If it is not free, it is not a podcast! And...a podcast is something you subscribe to.

Adding the iPod to the podcast ensures your ability to differentiate your instruction, and to teach and learn anytime, anywhere.

Some of my favorite podcasts for education are:

• Discovery Channel: Animal Planet*
  
• National Geographic: Dangerous Encounters*
• NASACast*
• PBS - Nature*
• TEDTalks*
• Stories for Kids*
• Hooked on Phonics*

You get your podcasts from iTunes.


3) Reading Fluency
Using an iPod to increase vocabulary skills and reading fluency is easy! It is easier if you have a mic! Have the students read aloud into the ipod and you can take these files and analyze them...heck...have the students analyze them! You can also share these with parents during conferences. If you have an ipod that accepts apps, you can find vocabulary builder apps for the students to use. You can also create your own recordings of vocabulary words...with the definition, used in a sentence, whatever information you want to provide.





4) Use Your iPod as Your Presenter
With the purchase of an AV cable for your ipod, you can turn it into a presentation machine. You can show videos or photo slideshows.



5) Use What's Already Out There
If you haven't explored....start collecting content that you can add to iTunes and distribute to the ipods.

• Teacher, School and YouTube are great resources for video. If you have an ipod touch, you don't even need to download the videos.
  
• Use Kick YouTube or Kiss YouTube to download the videos from YouTube
• Here is a free YouTube to ipod converter (I have not tested this)
  
• Download VoiceThread projects ($2.99 per video or $10 for 10)
  
• There are a large amount of Apps created for education. If your ipod takes apps, use them! Below is an image of some examples of Apps I have on my iPod Touch.
• Use iSquint to convert your CDs, DVDs and other video formats to your ipod.
  
• Explore iTunes U
  
• Use photos to create a slideshow for students to gain background knowledge
• Flickr
• Picasa
• Use iTunes for:
• Tutorials
• Podcasts
• Audiobooks
• Study Guides
• Applications (compass, calculator, weight/exercise management)
  
• News Sources
• Research Tools
  

6) Create Your Own Content
If you are familiar with iMovie or Movie Maker, you can create your own tutorials and upload them to the ipods. Want to provide some math problems with solutions, how about showing them the water cycle in action, or...you are only limited by your imagination.

Here are some ideas for creating your own content for ipods...or you blog or classroom website:

• If you have a mac, use the built-in isight camera and microphone to create instructions, helpful hints, tutorials, recognition to students...even messages to parents.
• Use video editing software to create tutorials or step by step instructions.
• Use PowerPoint to create flashcards.
• Use a Mimio? The new version of the studio lets you record your audio and actions while you are teaching. Record a lesson and make it available as a video.
• If you have a FlipVideo or other hand-held video camera, use this to create content for the ipods.
  

Have students create the content:

• Have students record reading sessions for book discussions
• Record weekly news from your classroom - let your students be reporters!
• Have students read books for younger learners
• Have students create tutorials or steps for solving problems in a video editing program and use it for reinforcement for those students that are struggling

Need More Ideas?

• 100 ways to use your ipod to Learn
• SlideShare Presentation by Apple Distinguished Educators
• Classroom Ideas from a classroom...imagine!
  

What Else??
Join this wiki and tell us how you use your ipod in the classroom!