Handheld Computers in the Classroom Stephanie Hartman EDUC 8841 Dr. Moller

 Cell phones are used at ease with students and are prevalent in schools  Student interest in cell phone-like technology is high  Portability of a small handheld device increases the possibility that students will use the device more often when knowledge is being created  Accessibility for special needs students is paramount to their success – a wireless electronic device can increase their access Week 4

 On September 5, 2007, Apple unveiled a completely revised iPod line. Well, almost.  The real excitement comes from the iPod touch, which looks a lot like the iPhone. In fact, it's basically an iPhone without the phone and camera - it runs OS X, has n WiFi, and is a bit smaller than the iPhone. And it trumps the iPhone in one area: You can buy a 16 GB iPod touch, but the iPhone tops out at 8 GB.iPhone  The iPod touch is less than 1/3" thin at 8mm and sells for US$299 with 8 GB of flash memory, US$399 with 16 GB.  The traditional full-sized iPod was renamed the iPod classic and is the only hard-drive based version of the iPod. It has a new interface that includes cover flow, a feature introduced with iTunes.  The iPod classic is available in the highest capacity to date: 160 GB. The US$ GB 6G iPod is only 0.53" (13.5mm) thick and weighs 5.7 oz. (162g). The less costly (US$249) 80 GB iPod classic is even thinner and lighter at 0.41" (10.5mm) and 4.9 oz. (140g).  The iPod nano has gone from a slim, brushed aluminum design to a wider, powder finished aluminum one to make room for a new 320 x 240 very high resolution (204 dpi!) 2" display. Like the iPod classic, it also has cover flow, and it's the first iPod nano that can be used to watch videos or play games.  The new nano is shorter and wider than it's predecessor (2.75" x 2.05"/70 x 52mm vs. 3.55" x 1.6"/90 x 40mm) but just as thin. The video nano is available in two capacities, 4 GB and 8 GB, and five colors: light gray, dark gray, light green, light teal, and [RED]. The US$149 4 GB model only comes in light gray, while the US$199 8 GB model is available in all five colors.  Then there's the third generation iPod shuffle, which looks a lot like the 2G iPod shuffle it replaces. The big difference is the finish, which is a powdered aluminum rather than brushed aluminum. The five colors available are light gray, light teal, light purple, light green, and [RED].  But the Sept announcement goes beyond iPods. Apple discontinued the 4 GB iPhone while slashing the price of the 8 GB model by $200 to US$399, announced the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store for the iPhone and iPod touch, and began selling ringtones for the iPhone for US$1.98.iPhone  Apple's next improvement to the iPod line came on Feb. 5, 2008, when it added new, higher capacity versions of the iPhone and iPod touch. Each doubled capacity at a US$100 price premium, so the 16 GB iPhone retailed for US$499, and the 32 GB iPod touch listed at US$499.

 iphone/ iphone/ Let’s visit the above link to learn how Apple’s iPod touch can transform the classroom

Week 5

The iPod was originally created to house music in a miniature digitized format. Educational use was incidental to this innovation

Week 6

Week 7

Children as young as age 3 and 4 are already familiar with iPod technology Students are already adept at using handheld devices making them willing users Teachers enjoy having students engaged in learning Week 7

Teachers need and want new technology that captures the attention but isn’t a waste of time Teachers are ready to introduce and utilize portable technology so that students are always connected Teachers want students to collaborate and generate knowledge – the iPod can support this need Week 8

 Some teachers think iPods are too much like cell phones which are not allowed in classrooms  Administrators believe iPods are going to be used for playing games unrelated to content  Administration finds iPod sets (for school use) are too expensive for school budgets and look to other funding options such as PTA Week 8

 K-12 Teachers  Technology Leaders/Teachers  Administrators  District Leaders Let’s introduce a pilot program into different classrooms to build a case for district-wide adoption of the iPod touch Week 9

Coming soon: Bring mobile learning with the iPod into the classroom – attend the mobile learning experience in April 2011 Week 9

We’ve entered an age of digital learners. Let’s not be left behind, instead, be present and proactive to our students learning. This video is called Pay Attention. Week 9