Can an iPod be used by a teacher as a teaching tool?

Question

Can an iPod be used by a teacher as a teaching tool?

Answer 1

get a free ipod on this site instead of buying retail

Answer 2

Most schools don't allow them in class or on school grounds. They have a tendency to get misplaced and/or stolen.

Answer 3

A colleague of mine uses an I-Pod to download audio books for her students who have reading difficulties.  The device stays in her classroom and only has the things on it that she puts on it herself, no music or anything inappropriate.  This way, they can listen to the text and follow along in the book.  It has been very helpful to the ones who have used it.

Answer 4

I think it can depending on what you wanted to teach. If you wanted to teach about technology then of course it can.

Answer 5

Don't know, but it sounds like a great gimmick to sell more iPods!!!

Answer 6

Yes, definitely - in fact, some of my students have just finished studying song lyrics in English. I gave them permission to use their mp3 players during their speeches about a song they had chosen, and it worked very well. There's also the possibility of podcasts or audiobooks being used as part of the curriculum.

Of course, if a particular school doesn't allow mp3 players to be brought into the classroom, those rules should be adhered to - but I've always refrained from confiscating an iPod if the student isn't using it in class (I'd never search their bags for one). My belief is, if the technology is there, why not use it to the students' benefit?