ipods

Are iPods in the classroom a distraction? Perhaps. Pencils - now those are real distractions - always having to sharpen them, kids throw them, they write inappropriate notes with them, they can use them to cheat, they poke each other with them, they get pencil lead stuck in their fingers, they steal them, etc. I think we should ban 'em. Now, am I trying to convince everyone to run out and buy ipods for all students? No, I'm not. I am suggesting, however, that they're worth exploring. This website will link to general information and educational apps for the ipod.

__Why iPods in the Classroom?__
 * Audiobooks
 * Music
 * Simple student created audio
 * Teacher created audio
 * Full blown podcasts/digital stories
 * Instructional videos
 * [[file:Quick Start Podcast Steps.pdf]]

__Using the iPod - Basics__
 * [[file:iPod_nano_4th_gen_UserGuide.pdf]]
 * Plug it in, iTunes should automatically launch
 * Choose sync options (automatic? manual?)
 * Browse iTunes content/store, decide how and what you want synced onto iPods
 * The iPod will charge while connected to computer, whether iTunes is launched or not

__Favorite iPod Links in General__
 * Learning in Hand
 * iTunes University - Virginia
 * Apple's Learning Interchange
 * iPod Educators Ning(social group for iPod using teachers)

__iPod Tools to Learn__ Getting Music
 * Audacity (for making your own audiobooks, podcasts, etc.)
 * [[file:audacity_howto.pdf]]
 * iTunes
 * Your own CDs
 * Other Websites
 * Free Kids Music
 * Free Play Music (lots of sound effects - great for audio recordings/podcasts)
 * Sound Snap (lots of sound effects - great for audio recordings/podcasts)

Getting Videos
 * United Streaming - save as Quicktime, import into iTunes
 * Download from TeacherTube/YouTube (Use Zamzar.com)