I won an iPod Classic around 2 years ago at a library conference. My family despaired of me because (until a few of weeks ago) I had 35 songs on that iPod – that’s right 35 songs. Then I had to become an “expert” on using mp3 players and iPods in education. Talk about “at the moment” learning!
Where to start? The mp3 player/iPod is a mini portable everything. Consider these scenarios:
Recorder – to record that interview with a guest speaker, grandparent; Complete the orienteering exercise my classmates created
Video player – to watch that movie on long division your teacher recorded on the Smartboard last week, or that You Tube video on PowerPoint; watch a vitual tour of the pyramids for SOSE, show my parents the video of my demonstration
Podcast player – listen to the latest podcast from the Indonesian language site and practise a bit of listening and speaking the language, or the podcast from your librarian on how to use Alice to find and reserve a book;
Portable quiz – play a barrier game in English group activities, construct a quiz on quizzler for my class to do after my presentation
Audiobook player - I’ve always had trouble reading so I can listen to the book my teacher recorded for me and read it at the same time
Flashcard player – practise those sight words I am having trouble with.
Music player – listen to the Mozart Symphony I have to reflect on for my music assignment.
Of course, if I am stuck on a word, I can always check up on my dictionary and encyclopaedia.
As a consequence my iPod is now fuller and used consistently.
IEP – I can have my own Individual Learning Programme on my mp3 player.
Having said all that if I was going to purchase an mp3 player I would be looking at other models rather than an iPod as the sync problem is annoying – I like the drag a drop features of my husband’s LG mp3 player – and it’s not reliant on iTunes. Sure, there are ways around iTunes but they can be tricky and why bother when another version of mp3 player is easy and cheaper than an iPod.
As for classroom use – I would love a set of mp3 players for my class because they can be used for all the above activities and they are small and portable.
By: 
