Using iPods in the Classroom Promotes Interactive Learning and More Effective Studying

I thought I was so far ahead of the game because of my passion for electronics and knowing that online learning can be highly successful. Then I realized I was out of the loop with the newer applications of iPods in education.

One school started out by allowing iPods to be used in music classes. Yet another school is providing the iPods to students studying foreign languages. For the foreign language programs the students download lessons to their devices with the school hoping students will find increased motivation to study and not just in the classroom. The school actually has included downloadable files on their website for the students. The files for download are tailored just for that school's classes and students. The students are already finding ways to study away from class using time when they normally would be idle, like on the bus ride home or to school. They free up time at home for fun, and they look cool doing it.

When the iPod notion was presented to the decision makers, it was pointed out that most students would be by far more motivated to take on certain courses. Not only is using iPods in education an opportunity to look cool, it fuels the learning process by catering to some students' passion for electronics and gadgets. Beyond cool and fun, they are interactive. Promoters see all of these elements as spurring huge returns with respect to the learning process.

Often, because of human nature, many educators and learning institutions resist new delivery methods, especially when the new is also radical. On the other hand, some schools don't want to put bans on what is new, they are actually anxious to explore up and coming technologies. At least one of the high schools having a great deal of success is now maximizing on that success by having juniors and seniors participate in designing features of this form of delivery.

Using iPods as educational tools has obvious risks. Not only do schools have to be very creative in developing the tool for the intended use, they need to be equally creative when it comes to policing the abuse. One school has formed iPod clubs to stay on top of iPod behaviors, identify unacceptable use and producing avenues of control. So far, the success in terms of absence of abuse is a result of the clubs and student involvement not only in the program, but in the design and management of the program.

Learning institutions are cautious about declaring their success, because the programs are still too new. If the successes continue, it won't be long and the iPod innovation will be used throughout the entire country.

The recent Virginia Tech disaster immediately brought questions about information distribution on large campuses. I'm not suggesting the use of iPods as a means of rapidly conveying information to an entire campus for situations like the Virginia Tech incident. I'm simply pointing out that getting information out to the masses is a current topic of concern. Some schools are using this new technology to provide large quantities of school, not subject, information. The student can download the information, and as mentioned before, digest the information during time periods that would otherwise be wasted, such as to and from classes.

Colleges are finding that students are using iPods and microphones to record lecture content, just like many of us did with cassette tape recorders years ago. Educators are encouraging students to use their iPods to record interviews, and not rely on pencil and paper note taking. There is at least one college program that requires a great deal of work to be done by the students outside of the lecture room. The students are required to maintain audio logs to support outside work accomplishments. The students are indicating they feel better bonding with the school because of it. Another reaction from students about employing iPods is they feel they mean more to the school than just a student number. Perhaps the cutest notion I came across is how iPods are contributing to the overall health of students, accidentally. It seems more students are walking places and using their iPods, where in the past they would have ridden in a car.

What is really interesting is the number of college professors that feel the new and innovative use of iPods is only the tip of the iceberg. They often can't wait to see what else this form a technology can do for learning. Some of those professors are encouraging students and other teachers to become think tanks for new ideas and concepts involving iPods or other new electronic devices.

Since it would seem that all types of schools exist to create highly functional people in the real world, why wouldn't iPod use in our real world careers be just as exciting, revolutionary and productive? Just like telecommuting with computers, fax machines and telephones, why not expand our worker flexibility with iPods? The worker could record nearly any type of information related to the company they work for such as the next project, or any assignment. Then the worker could use typical down time to study and foster new ideas for the company. The motivations for the upwardly mobile employee would be the same as for students. They use down time. They become more flexible. Idea and information exchange would be more timely and perhaps more efficient. Interactivity would be opened up. The employee would enjoy the gadget, and of course, look cool.

Clearly it is too early to form a concrete opinion of iPods as a learning tool, and how successful this technology concept may end up being. I am glad to hear of the success stories so far. I find it interesting that we may be on the edge of an electronic gadget revolution in terms of learning tools. It seems exciting that iPods are being used way beyond replacing tape recorders. The benefit to student health is frosting on the cake.