Creating Voice Memos on the iPod Nano

The iPod is many things and there are so many ideas for ways to use the iPod in the classroom that I decided to break down the suggestions into feature groups. So this post is dedicated to the way Voice Memos or an iPod as an audio recorder can be used in the classroom.  If you are unsure how to record Voice Memos on the iPod, please take a minute to watch the video below.

The first idea that I would like to share is a simple way to help students with written output. Instead of wasting time staring blankly at an empty sheet of paper, unsure of what to write or how to begin, give students an an iPod and have them 'tell' their story first. When finished recording have students listen to the story they created and then write it down. No more blank pages!!

Or take it a step further and try this:
Have your students think of an exciting beginning to a story they want to tell (characters and setting).  Record the beginning using the iPod and press pause (the middle button) when finished.  Then have the students develop their story by creating the middle (plot or introduce the problem) and record it by unpausing the iPod and adding on to the beginning.  Press pause when finished.  Finally, have the students develop the end of the story (solve the problem) and record it by the same method.  Stop the recording and listen to a complete story with a beginning, middle and end.  The student can then write the story they created (or simply listen and upload), and you, can enjoy the dramatic improvement in your students story development and writing skills!

Now, I know these ideas won't work as well for the primary students (and teachers), but I don't want you to think that you can't use the iPods with your students.  So I have tried to come up with some ideas that would be helpful at different age groups.  Here are a few interesting ways to use an iPod as an audio record:

Kindergarten - use the iPod to record an interview with each of your students, describing what they love about their mom. Upload the interviews or burn them to disk and send them home with the students to give to mom on Mother's Day.

Grade 1 - use the iPod to record your students reading at different times during the year.  Upload or burn the recording to disk to send home for parents to keep as a memento.  Guaranteed this one would be saved forever!

Grade 2 - record PM Benchmark retells or other assessments that require students to explain their thinking.  You could even have the students listen back to their retell, asking them if they would like to add any additional details.

Grade 3 - record a collaborative classroom story.  Pass around the iPod and have students record one line of a story before passing the iPod to the next student to add another line.  Listen to the story created as a class and upload to your class website for parents to enjoy as well.

Grade 4 - use the iPods to record public speaking practice.  Have the students listen to their recorded speech and ask themselves if they are using expression, speaking clearly, etc.

Grade 5 - use the iPods to interview an expert on a research topic of choice.  This could be a parent or grandparent for an oral history project or a community leader for a government project.

Here are some other ideas for using the audio recording feature on the iPod nano's in the classroom.


Apple - Education - iPod in the Classroom - Lesson Plans -


Please take a moment and share your ideas for using audio recording in the classroom by commenting below.  Thanks!

iPods

The iPods have arrived!!  Thanks Dan and the Terry Fox PAC for purchasing iPods for our school.  Here is a quick video about some of the features of the iPods Terry Fox just received.  I am so excited about them and everything that our students and staff will be able to do in our classrooms with them.  I believe strongly in the benefits of this tool in the classroom.  There are so many ways to use the iPods and I plan to dedicate the next few posts to the iPod and different ideas for using them.  So stay tuned!!

In the mean time, I encourage you to charge up the iPods and bring them into your classroom.  My guess is that even if you don't know how to use them, some of your students will...yes even in Kindergarten...and you can spend time playing and learning about the features and capabilities together.  This particular iPod is called the iPod nano 5th generation (just in case you want to watch 'how to' videos on YouTube) and has been out for a year, so some of your students will definitely have one at home.  Have fun playing...

Drop Box

Dropbox is a great way to store your data online so that you can access if from anywhere.  Put your files into your Dropbox on one computer, and they'll be instantly available on any of your other computers that also have Dropbox installed.  You can also access them from any computer or mobile device using the Dropbox website because copies are stored on Dropbox's secure servers.  Dropbox provides users with 2GB of online storage for free, with up to 100GB available to paying customers.

Tips for integrating Dropbox into the classroom:  Dropbox is the perfect internet accessory for teachers.  Because we use computers in the classroom, computer lab and a home, accessing the same files in all of these places without trying to keep track of a flashdrive, is incredibly convenient.  In addition, you could Dropbox with your students by starting up a class account and saving documents, photos, videos, etc. that you want all of your students or students' parents to access.

Note: Send me an email to request a personal invitation to Dropbox and we will both receive an additional 250MB of storage space.

Tagxedo

Since many enjoyed learning about and playing with Wordle, I thought I would share another word cloud site with you that I recently learned about from a LTT friend  (Thanks Jill!).  Tagxedo is a word cloud site with style...and a lot of options.  In addition to typing or copy and pasting your text to make a cloud, you can also use a URL, twitter ID, Del.icio.us ID, RSS feed, search term or news article to create a cloud.  Once you have your text, choose your font and theme and then choose a shape or upload an image of your own.    I chose an apple and used the URL from this website to make the word cloud above.  Watch the video below for step by step instructions on how to create a Tagxedo of your own.




Tips for integrating Tagxedo into the classroom:  Use Tagxedo this Thanksgiving holiday and have students make a list of the things they are thankful for.  Then have the students create a word cloud with the list in an image of their choice and share it with friends and family.  Have fun Tagxedo-ing!