iPods in Instruction

While searching for web suggestions on ways to use iPods for suggestions I came across to interesting sites. One site was International Education Systems, which can be found at http://ies.edc.org/news/articles.php?id=262, and the other was Duke University First Year Experience Final Evaluation Report, which could be found at http://cit.duke.edu/pdf/reports/ipod_initiative_04_05.pdf.

International Education Systems'(IES) News Section as an article titled iPods Used to Train Teachers in Zambia. The article, which was done in Nov. 2007, states how teachers are using iPods to enhance professional training in mathematics, science, and English. During this experience, EDC distributed 12 iPods to sixth grade teachers there were experienced with EDC's interactive radio instruction (IRI) and trained them in their use. The iPods were loaded with IRI lessons, audio, and video training materials designed to support teachers in their presentation of complex topics. The article also explains how the iPods help the IRI team in Zambia address the challenge of conveying concepts that are more easily explained visually. The teachers are also able to broadcast the IRI lessons without being tied to the radio broadcast schedule, if there is a connection to a foot- or solar- powered generator and a set of speakers. This initiative isn't inexpensive though. The iPods are $250 each and the generators are $250, also. Simon Richmond of EDC's International Education Systems Division, believes as technology costs decrease and access to electricity spreads in Zambia, the technology will quickly become more affordable.

According to Duke University's First Experience, Duke distributed 20GB Apple iPods devices to over 1600 first-year students entering in August 2004. Each iPod was equipped with Belkin Voice Recorders. The Center for Instructional Technology (CIT) coordinated an evaluation of the academic use of iPods for students and faculty. The evaluation focused on feasibility and effectiveness of iPods as an academic tool for students and faculty. The academic use of iPods fell into five major categories: Course content dissemination tool, Classroom recording tool, Field recording tool, Study support tool, and File storage and transfer. Some of the benefits were greater student engagement and interested in class discussions, labs, etc. and flexible location-independent access to digital multimedia courses materials. Some disadvantages were difficulties in locating commercial source and obtaining licenses for content from independent and international publishers in appropriate format among others.

Both sites were very interesting, but the most interesting to me was the Zambia article. I didn't expect to find something of this sort.