While I've enjoyed having access to an iTouch this quarter, I will admit that I haven't really used it as much as I hoped to. Part of this may be because I own an iPhone, so many of the capabilities the iTouch provides weren't needed.
I did explore various apps and discovered that there is a multitude of applications available, designed to enhance student learning. Still, I had difficulty seeing how I could integrate one Touch into my main placement classroom. In other tech news, I have started teaching some with the IWB, and I'm really enjoying it.
Back to the iTouch: The feature I used most this quarter has been Voice Memo. I've used this app for each meeting that I've had with my Juanita buddy. After the session, I can listen to the discussion and reflect on my teaching, as well as his learning. While it's been relatively easy for me to remember the discussion I had with one student, I can only imagine how useful this tool would be when I'm working with 20+ students. My ability to remember all the conversations will not be nearly as skilled as it is with just one. I believe the iTouch would a wonderful asset to a teacher so that he/she could record conversations with students. It would be a great assessment tool - both for student understanding, as well as teaching instruction. I think it would also be a powerful tool to show student growth throughout the year. Additionally, it would be powerful to have concrete evidence to share with parents. Instead of simply describing how a student is doing, you would be able to show them "how it sounds."
Question: Is it a good idea to use your iPhone for this purpose? I'm wondering if there are some legal issues that may come up with student information on a personal cell phone. Also, what might be some ways to push for funding for tech in schools that may not make tech a priority?
I find it so interesting that many of us have had technological experiences in the classroom, yet the iPod Touch isn't seen as one of these. In school, I see students actively doing research on laptops or in the updated computer lab. In library, they work with software such as Audacity to create recordings about the books they are reading. I think this is a fantastic use of technology.
ReplyDeleteI think that there are legal issues if you use your personal iPhone in the classroom. In the simplest sense, any music that you may have on your iPhone is protected under copyright, and you probably haven't censored it for elementary school use! Also, I think it is harder to erase personal data from a iPhone rather than a computer without wiping out the iPhone memory. Since the iPhone was created to be used by 1 person, its default is to save your data to make accessing it more convenient for you.
I had a similar question about funding for technology on my blog. Check it out here: Elementary Ponderings