History to Go: Why iTeach with iPods

Article: History to Go: Why iTeach with iPods
Author: Deborah L. Vess
Published in the History Journal. Vol.39, No. 4
August 2006

In 2005 iPods were distributed to all incoming Duke University freshman. Stanford also started using podcasting, which were only a few months old at the time. A lot of controversy was started as to whether iPods were educational or not. As a result a teacher decided to incorporate iPods into her Graduate level course. The teacher had students use their iPods to create podcasts of their reports on history.
There were several learning outcomes that this article described. The students said they felt a lot more confident with their oral speaking skills after having done this project. This would be something great to incorporate into a speech class! The students also reported that more planning had to be done. They also had to repeatedly keep recording until the podcast was correct. They said they never would have spent enough time on this project otherwise. There were negative factors as well. Students, in a survey, mentioned that they would have liked to receive more training on the iPods. Often times things to longer to send as well, and errors occurred using the technology that couldn’t have been predicted.
I think that this would have been a great class to take! I think that this was a unique way of going about giving a presentation. I think that now students are more adapt to iPods, and would only need some simple tips and tutorials to have a better understanding.

Reflection from class November 28, 2007

First, I was VERY impressed with everyone's digital story. There were so many unique, and original ideas. I feel that everyone went about creating their story in a different way. I was not expecting that at all. It was great to see everyones, because you can never have too many ideas to help you incorporate this idea into the classroom.

I was also very glad that we got to learn how to create a podcast and use Garage Band. I have had Garage Band on my computer for about 2 years now, and I never knew how to use it. I opened it once and got freaked out, and assumed it was too complicated for me. This was not a good attitude to have. I have also noticed that Apple is VERY good about having tutorials available for its customers. There is a large variety for every program and every product they sell. I found it very helpful when creating my digital story.