I was recently asked to provide reasons for purchasing iPods. As I was searching for information, I found this great site and I thought I would share.
http://chatt.hdsb.ca/~magps/boylit/Podcasting%20in%20Education
We don’t have to have the hardware to create a podcast or vodcast.
Here are my two cents I shared with those that asked the question:
1. Information is disseminated through the Internet not only through email, but other creative tools such as a podcast. Students can subscribe to podcasts or create their own podcast (for educational purposes).
2. Publishing work is the next step – there are blogs, wikis, podcasts, vodcasts, etc. which allow students to publish their work in a collaborative and creative environment. This not only motivates students, but prepares them for college/workplace in which technological devices are being used.
Yes, we can create podcasts/vodcasts without an iPod, but I believe in order for our staff to move forward with such creative & innovative ideas (Bob L. mentions below) – we need to be able to provide support. The iPods would be a practical step with such support.
Either way, if we are not able to purchase the iPods, we can still create podcasts and such. Just think if we were a little more proactive when the blogs (xanga or facebook) came out 4 or 5 years ago – we could have influenced the way in which students used such things (okay, maybe this is idealistic).