Assignment 11

Everyone has heard of an iPod, in fact, most people, of all ages, own one. They are a great way to listen to music anywhere and at anytime without all the bulk of a CD player, or for some who might remember, a boom box. Through the years, they are becoming affordable for everyone. For about the last four or five years though, iPods are being used for more than just a way to enjoy music. They are being used in the classroom, from K-12 to University classrooms.

Duke University was on the cutting edge of this trend. In 2004, they gave every incoming freshman an iPod. In 2006, they had 46 classes in the spring using iPods. The iPods are being used for things like lectures and assignments. This is a great way for students to study lecture material, being able to hear the lecture over as many times as one needs to until they understand the material. If a student missed a class, this is a great way to get the information they missed. Duke plans to expand on this by introducing classes that use the aide of digital audio and video.

IPods are not just being used on the University level though. They have benefited the K-12 classrooms as well. First graders are learning their reading words on iPods and kindergartners are learning their ABC's using ipods. Karen Thompson is using things like pod casts and audio files in her classroom. High school students are creating their own pod casts and keeping up with homework through the use of this handy tool. Many schools are finding grants to supply their students with this useful tool.

The iPod is allowing students to work at their own pace. Not all children learn to read at the same speed and with the aide of the iPod,now these students wont be left behind, they can learn a t their own speed. Some students need more time to cover material, they just don't retain all the information the first time. Again, the iPod can really help these students that otherwise just might not ever understand the lesson and ultimately not reach their greatest potential in school. The iPod is just another example of how technology is helping to advance our children's education.