iPods provides new learning approach

This year, many students on the GC&SU campus are using iPods, not only to soak in their favorite bands, but to fulfill course requirements.

Several iPod projects are taking place in classes at GC&SU. Students who are actively participating in the iVillage or Nelnet Scholars will be the only students allowed to keep their iPods. In all other classes, the students are loaned iPods for the duration of their class. Surprisingly, this is not the first year students at GC&SU are using iPods in the classroom.

In 2002, GC&SU faculty members requested a grant to use iPods in their courses. Professor of Government and Sociology, Hank Edmonson and Professor of English Robert Viau were the first faculty members at GC&SU to teach using the iPod, according to Viau.

Viau uses iPods in his Utopia/Dystopia course as well as in his Gothic Imagination class. He uses the iPod mainly to relate music to different aspects of the courses. Students study Gothic art while listening to Gothic music, comparing and contrasting the two art forms.

Honors student Sarah Leggett said, “I think that it’s a good idea. It’s cool to be able to have different kinds of media to work with in and outside the classroom.”

Although Viau enjoys using this tool, he admits that people need to learn when to stop using the iPods. Viau teaches his students technology courtesy and encourages them to be respectful, avoiding iPod use in other classes.

Leigh Hern, assistant professor and mentor leader for the middle grades cohort in the school of education, is another faculty member challenging her students with iPod projects. Her students will be using the iPods for podcasting, voice recording/interviewing and listening to speakers. Hern is fascinated with how listening changes or aids our thinking and learning.

Hern believes that each student is unique and has their own learning style. She hopes to use the technology to reach different students more effectively. She said that GC&SU students in the middle grades cohort will benefit in their own learning, as well as consider alternative ways to teach in their classrooms.

So far, students like using the iPods.

“It’s awesome. I feel blessed to be able to have it, but I hate it that not everyone at GC&SU can have one,” said Josh Massengale, a junior in the middle grades cohort.

Some foreign language classes are also using iPods. Assistant Professor of Spanish Juan Alcarria is using iPods to help students learn and practice the language. Students will sync their iPods to Alcarria’s computer for podcasting and even some Spanish songs.

“I think it’s definitely beneficial because I can listen to Spanish on the go. Also, I can record myself speaking Spanish and then listen to it and correct my speaking,” said Casey Matthews, one of Alcarria’s students.

IPod Project Coordinator Teresa Brewton hopes that using iPods will create a new way of educating.

“Students have changed, and our methodology has to change,” she said.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 16 2005. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry