iPod Touch Coming to Decatur Classrooms
Decatur Metro | February 10, 2010 | 10:20 amUPDATE: Asst. Superintendent Thomas Van Soelen provides a few more details on how the iPod Touch will be used…
Last week, we had an exciting kick-off to our pilot using Title II-D funds. This grant, provided by the DOE, allows City Schools of Decatur to pilot a digital learning environment outlined as Goal #1 in our state-approved District Technology Plan 2009-2011. It is our goal to increase and upgrade digital tools in the 21st century classroom, including handheld equipment. City Schools of Decatur used the allotted funds to outfit one classroom with a class set of iPod Touches, an iPod syncing/charging station, and a document camera, as well as training classes provided by an instructor from the Kennesaw ETC.
The iPod Touch handheld devices have shown great promise in the classroom. From educational apps to the standard or graphing calculator, from Google Earth to iTunes U podcasting, from the new release of the integrated voice recorder to audio books applications, the iPod touch fits well with our Goal #1 in our District Technology Plan. This inaugural program, funded by Title II-D funds, will allow us to provide a cutting-edge digital environment for our students while we analyze its impact on student achievement and engagement.
The grant includes:
* iPod Touch- generation 3- class set of 27 Parasync Syncing/Docking station http://www.paratsolutions.com/parasync
* Elmo Document Camera to project teacher ipod for class Two days Professional Learning (classroom, ESS, Gifted, or IST teachers, media/IT specialist, or instructional coach- up to 5 teachers total)
* Equipment for professional learning (classroom, ESS, Gifted, or IST teachers, media/IT specialist, or instructional coach- up to 5 teachers total)- 5 ipod touches for teachers
* $150 iTunes card for classroom teacher to purchase educational apps for the iPod Touches
At last night’s Decatur School Board meeting, the board approved a three-year lease agreement with Apple of 124 computers at the cost of $129,540, per the agenda.
However, in addition to 124 computers, which will be spread across the district based on enrollment levels, the DNO’s Jillian Wells reports on a new initiative to use iPod Touches in the school system.
This initiative will also allow student to use the handheld iPod Touch as an educational tool throughout the system. These currently popular devices can sync applications simultaneously so that they can be used for a multitude of activities, such as quick research.
Wilson adamantly supported the efforts to increase the availability of more advanced technology in the classroom, citing the iPod initiative as one means of doing just that. She said that encouraging the proper, honorable usage of the iPods and of electronic devices in general could cut down on cheating, while allowing students to use these devices for academic purposes.
Research using an iPod touch? Oh dear…
I’m sure someone back in the 14th century said, “Research using a book? Oh dear…”
My thesis: The Philosophy of Lil Wayne
Subtitle: It’s all ’bout the dental work.
But will the iPod Touches have to pay for parking?
I have heard that one use will be so a teacher can quickly assess where their students are at with the material without having to take the time to go around the classroom and publicly assess the kids or administer an actual pretest. E.g., the teacher has been working on geometry all week and then asks the kids to answer some questions on their iPODs, e.g.
What type of triangle is this? (Picture a Yield sign shape)
A. Equilateral
B. Scalene
C. Right
D. Isosceles
The kids style in an answer and the teacher immediately sees how the class is doing. If 90% of the kids get the right answer, then the teacher can move on. If 90% say “scalene”, then the teacher better cover triangles some more, right then, while their thinking is still on triangles and hasn’t moved on to rhombuses! This kind of assessment can occur in seconds as opposed to requiring a lot of time and effort.
At least that’s the theory. Technology, e.g. electronic medical records and registering one’s car on-line, often promises more than it can deliver because it’s hard to automate all the human factors. If it was easy, we could just attach electrodes into our kids brains and download info and upload performance!
Yeah, that’s a great theoretical use for the iPod touches. However, similar technology has been in use for years. It’s generally referred to as “clicker” or PRS (Personal Response System) technology. Oh, and those units cost about $30/unit to BUY, not lease.
It’s unclear from the original article if the school system paid more for the use of the iPods or if Apple just threw those in for “free” with the 3 year lease of the computers. If it’s the latter, fine. Otherwise, I think Decatur could have used that money better elsewhere.
I’m not going to be convinced that iPods in the hands of high school students are going to be used for educational purposes. The new computers, sure. The iPods, no.
At the high school, I’ve seen students who were sleeping through class, and objected to teachers turning on the lights in the classroom because it woke them up. This is an issue that must be addressed before we try to hand out iPods. Right now, they don’t like to give out the laptop cart because they fear somebody will steal it. That will be a significant problem with smaller devices.
Maybe the iPods have GIS monitoring devices like what’s used for offenders sentenced to home confinement?
Re laptop carts and other school goods disappearing: How depressing. Some schools have metal detectors for entry into the school. Maybe DHS needs metal detectors for students exiting! I hate to think ill of the high school kids but this doesn’t seem to be a problem at RMS and the elementary schools. Sigh.
http://www.projectknect.org is a current project in North Carolina using wireless technology in education: “Students communicate and collaborate with each other and access tutors outside of the school day to help them master math skills and knowledge.”
Won’t this exacerbate the epidemic of inappropriate touching?
Only if the ipods start filing charges.
I have heard that one of the 3rd grade teachers at WP put in a successful bid for getting the iPods in her classroom. I don’t think this is necessarily for the high school.
My initial gut reaction is filled with expletives. My second reaction is, what happened to just teaching kids? Why do we further exacerbate the stilted communication development of these kids by putting more electronics in their hands? Are my kids the only ones left on the planet who don’t have an electronic glued to their hands 24/7? Will the human race eventually just forget how to look at each other when we communicate? Eye contact? Reading expressions? Social cues?
Dates are approximate since I have no idea when these things were introduced.
1920: “Do our kids really need electricity in their classrooms? What happened to just reading a book by candlelight?”
1960: “Film projectors in class? What, now the kids get to watch movies instead of study their history books?”
1975: “I can’t believe they allow kids to use calculators. The kids will NEVER learn math!”
1985: “Computers in classrooms? What possible use will a computer be to a future engineer?”
2010: (courtesy of CSD Mom) “Why do we further exacerbate the stilted communication development of these kids by putting more electronics in their hands?”
Technology will happen whether we embrace it or not. So rather than dismiss them as gadgets that will inhibit learning, why not take advantage of what they can offer? I would have loved to have a web-enabled device in school to help me research papers and enhance lessons taught to me by my textbooks and teachers.
Because we are broke and can’t afford this. I wish more people would realize this. The country’s finances are a complete mess and getting much worse at an alarming rate.
Concede your point and agree about finances. But the argument I was making is that people should be more open to technological advancement and the learning opportunities it brings. Our kids (7 and 5) don’t own portable devices and, if they did, they would only be able to use them in the proper places (no restaurants!). It’s all about understanding where and when to use technology. Devices such as an iPod Touch can teach about wireless technology, the Internet, how to use great applications like Google Earth, etc.
More details from the Asst. Superintendent on how the school system will use the iPod Touch at the top of the original post.
Clarification is needed here. DNO erroneously reported that we approved the purchase of iPod Touches last night. We only approved the lease agreement of the 124 Apple computers – no iPod Touches were included in that agreement. During the discussion portion of this agenda item, we did discuss the possibilities of using more handheld technologies such as the iPod Touch in the classroom for this tech-savvy generation. The discussion also covered the topic of using grant money to help pay for these technologies, which many districts are currently pursuing. I can understand how the reporter got confused since the topic broadened from Apple computers to a “what if” discussion about handheld devices. The CSD staff is notifying DNO of the reporting error.
Julie
With all due respect, Decatur News Online did not report that the iTouches were included in the lease agreement. As quoted above, we linked the lease agreement of the new Apple computers to the enhanced ability to sync to the handheld devices for educational purposes. Sorry if there was confusion on this.
I think this is the part that led me to believe that iPod Touches were purchased last night…
“The cost for the three-year lease of 124 computers will come to $129,580. This initiative will also allow student[s] to use the handheld iPod Touch as an educational tool throughout the system.”
It sounds like the “initiative” is the “lease” mentioned in the previous sentence.
So to reconcile your comment with the Asst. Superindentent’s above…
The school system has purchased a “class set” of iPod Touches recently, but none were purchased during the course of last night’s meeting. Is that correct?
DM, you are correct, and Geoff, thanks for your clarification!
I can understand the initial reaction to this but in theory there are a number of really interesting applications that could be used if everyone has access to the equipment. In one sense, this is a way to distribute a broader range of materials and ensure that everyone gets the same access/content, response generation and testing with immediate feedback etc. I agree that each of these individually can be done with cheaper tools but there is an advantage to a single package.
I don’t think anyone is going to claim that things like this make up for the efforts of individual teachers, and it would be interesting to hear more about the specific curricula issues but let me give one example. As a student in a calculus class, you are trying to get your head around differentiation methods. The material was reviewed and illustrated in class but now its homework time. Many university classes have started to make use of small specialized video clips that review material from lecture and the touch could be a way to make this material available for everyone.
I think its also important to note that in a public school, not everyone as the same access to online resources and providing these touches can help to level the field a bit.
There is an enormous amount of material that we want/need to get kids to learn in these years and tools that can help convey the material and help teachers keep closer track of the progress of individual students is a good thing.
Wow Ipod touches, 8 million dollar ‘state of the art’ buildings, a new sports field to make anyone proud, but still my child can’t get help for her failing math grade? Pardon me if I’m not so impressed with what I think is once again pretentious BS. It all looks good from the outside, but try to real help and hear all about how there is no funding.
I wish you were the only one who got that response to a real need. And while the new building is beautiful, I have a hard time understanding that expense for 700 HS students – or what, about 2400 in the whole system? Does it narrow the achievement gap or improve student performance on the SAT?
I hear you on not getting enough help with your child’s failing math grade. I am in the same boat times two. My already under-motivated high-schooler has discovered that the new grading policy works in her favor because she doesn’t have to work for anything now! Yay!
I can’t wait until we make smart decisions, like listening to students and rescinding the new grading policy at the high school. http://www.3ten.org/Site/Current_Stories/Entries/2009/10/29_OPINION%3A_New_policies_don%E2%80%99t_make_the_grade.html That really wouldn’t cost anything, but it would force the students to take more responsibility for those failing grades.
Maybe I have missed it, but DM this NEEDS it’s own thread. I have always thought my daughters grades were a little higher then her work warranted. She’s a wonderful girl, but academics aren’t her strong point. She can’t spell or do simple math in middle school but makes a’s & b’s?
http://www.3ten.org/Site/Current_Stories/Entries/2009/10/29_OPINION%3A_New_policies_don%E2%80%99t_make_the_grade.html
Example of my 7th graders a/b students spelling. You tell me if she earned those a/b’s.
~Hert herself because she feel while trying to make a snow man fir my brother, because he said “I want a snow man taller than you, because your short”
Thanks ladies. I’ll look into it!