It is Sunday morning again, and the house remains in slumber so I can continue with my fantastic journey into the exploration of mobile learning . Overnight this blog was linked to another insightful collection of links at The Mobile Learner which is definitely worth reading.
The new term will bring new challenges as I face decisions about our school’s future 1-to-1 policies. Where does the iPod Touch fit in with the netbook as the preferred device for our students to own?
To fully explore the educational potential of the iPod Touch this term, I am going to initiate some changes this week. One of the main issues I have faced with the device is the potential for some of my less focussed students to be using the games installed on the iPods when they should be using them for other purposes. The next Sync will see a removal of these distractions such as ‘Jelly Car’ and ‘Tap Tap Revenge’. The ability of the students to download their own apps can also be curtailed by the restrictions. Their will be an outcry, which I will report on here, but hopefully the few offenders will gain from this move. After the first six months last year, we also decided that listening to music in class time was also a distraction and have stopped this practice. This does not seem to have affected this years group of students at all. Students who reach personal goals and contribute to the resources we are sharing on the iPod Touch, such as podcasts, video reviews of apps, image galleries, contribution to discussions etc, may earn some of these games back…
I would like to target some individual students with selected Apps this term too. Our theme this term in PL is ‘Imagine’ which provides a broad canvas for creativity and opportunities for students to create resources that can be shared and showcased on the iPods. For example, after reading all my class reports at the end of last term, I have identified three boys who are excelling with their guitar class. After watching the ’Tweetwood Mac’ band at the NECC conference, I thought how great it would be for those boys to use a guitar app and share what they have learned with the class. James’ graphic skills are wonderful, and he has excelled with the free version of Flipbook. He should be teaching groups of other students what can be achieved with this App. Another boy has made a wonderful spreadsheet recording all the footy tip results on their iPod. All can be shared, and videos posted here on this blog too during the term. What can the girls share…. there is a wonderful opportunity for cultural sharing through slideshows created by the girls in my class with Indian, Chinese, Afghan and Iraqi cultures represented, perfect for ‘Imagine’.
What other new Apps should I explore, suggestions most welcome!
Some further links from this morning’s ramblings:
Contemporary Music iPod Touch Trial in NZ
iPod Touch tricks for the classroom
Setting up email on your iPod Touch
