Podcasting in the classroom

I chose 2 downloads for the classroom. I think that both of these would be benificial to the teachers and students. ESL students as well as Developmentally Delayed Students would benefit from these apps.

1. MeeGenius will be benificial to any student that has a trouble with reading, speaking and understanding the English language. Not only does it read the story to you (with all words being lit up as they go). It also teaches students how to manuvere a computer screen. This program can be adapted for any student with disabilities whether it is physical, mental or just a language barrier. I see this as not only a tool for the students but also a resource that teachers can use with such a diverse society that we have. Our ESL students will feel empowered with this knowledge and they will start to understand the language without a constant person standing over them, which can be overwhelming at times.
2.The other app that I chose was iWriteWords.lite. I believe that this application in the classroom with help students that don't have the fine motor skills for holding a pencil. So many students with disabilities can adapt to the ipad and work the screens with so much more positive response than having a teacher standing over them all the time or in some cases not enough of the time. This would enable students to work independently and make successful achievements at their own pace.

Ipods In Education

Turned in by Me

I agree that I-pods in school can be productive and the reasons for this is as follows (A educator’s prospectus):

· I find students that listening to music calms them down and thus become better at schoolwork. With them having their own ipod then they can diversify the music they listen to by different genres.

· Ipods give students something to do when there is downtime at school, or even better while riding the bus to or from school. (Watch a movie or an educational video perhaps?)

· Students are able to show their individuality by the kind of music they listen to. I.e.: I pods can be used to record lectures in class and listened to when reviewing for exams for older students. This is also favorable when the teacher talks too fast; you can just rewind and listen again.

· There are available educational pod casts that students can tune in to that can aid them in their learning.

· Students can install educational applications such as dictionaries and calculators thus eliminating extra weight to their backpacks/lockers.

· Audio lessons can be listened to before class, which allows the students more time to work during class.

· It could be more beneficial for teachers (whose been teaching the same lesson over and over) to record and podcast their lesson. That way they won't miss including important points in their topic.

· Recorded lessons can be shared with students that are absent. Podcast lessons are much more accurate rather than reviewing from notes.

There are many reasons of why students can benefit from having the i pods and not many reasons that they can't.

Check Edmodo for my links.