It's Good Stuff

The other week in a staff meeting, a few teachers were expressing their displeasure with problems in class concerning ipods. Students with wires in their ears often seems like a constant struggle in the classroom. Use of such devises is prohibited in our school rules, but it seems like students often need a reminder. This is what leads to frustration.

Before the staff meeting discussion had concluded, our technology guy made sure to voice his opinion on the side of the digital music players. He explained that many Universities are now giving ipods to incoming freshmen, and Professors are using the technology in their classrooms. His point was that instead of viewing the technology as a distraction, maybe these things could be embraced and used as a positive. After all, ipods are not going away any time soon.

My Individual Educational Plan to use this technology in my classroom, and learn about podcasting to the point that I could help teach other staff members how they can incorporate these tools into their practice.

First, I would like to explore the web for lectures and video clips that could be downloaded and used as teaching tools in the classroom. I also plan to turn my own lectures and material into a podcast, putting it on the web for students to view who have been absent. Lastly, as a culminating activity, students themselves could podcast their own work on the web.

The resources are there, it is time to learn them, use them, and pass them on.