Learning with Small Devices

Tony Vincent started working with Palms in the classroom way back at the turn of the century. Now he goes around talking about all small devices and how students and teachers can use them in the classroom. In the GaETC session called I didn't know you could do that with an iPod! concurrent session.

Here are some free web sites that Tony recommends we utilize, so the digital file may be played back on an iPod:

• http://www.spokentext.net/ - With this site the user may upload a .pdf, .doc, or any online text and read it. Then the mp3 may be downloaded to the iPod. Take the text and copy/paste it into the Lyrics under the song info in iTunes and while the song it playing on the iPod, the student can read the text.
• http://zamzar.com/ - Use this free site to convert videos from teacher tube or youtube. It is very simple, copy/paste the URL into the field and then tell it what kind of file you would like. Tony says mp4 is the best for the ipod conversion. The user types in the email for a link to the coverted file and the link will be available to you for 24 hours.
• http://www.ipreppress.com/ - This site offers free downloads of books for the iPod.
• http://learninginhand.com/ - Tony's site has several downloads or templates for the iPod that were PowerPoints he exported to images. Tony suggests students create the PowerPoint for common facts like the state capitals, US Presidents, etc.
• http://www.iquizmaker.com/ - This is a free download for Mac users. It will only work on certain iPods. This program could also run on a computer in your classroom.
• Cool Games online - Brain Challenges is on iTunes store.
  

Videos downloaded from the internet may be dropped into the iTunes movies library, but .mov files will not sync with the iPod, so with the video selected go to Advanced from the iTunes menu bar and select create for iPod.

Tony suggests using the iPod as an external drive. When the iPod is hooked into iTunes, select Enable Disk Mode. Be sure to eject properly, before disconnecting. Carry the $9.95 key chain adaptor for the iPod.

Teachers can save notes in text files for students to put on their iPod. Many text documents are already available for you on ipreppress.com, like the Declaration of Independence.

iWrite is a program, about $30 for students to create stories that you can then download straight to the iPod. Or if you put the assignment on your web site, when users click your file, the iWrite installer will download so the user can see your file.

Some accessories for hiding your iPod: hymnal, Sony Walkman, thong, earbud speakers, and the toilet paper dock station.

Adding a Podcast to Your Post with iMovie HD

Although blogging is essentially journaling, there may be an occasion when it is appropriate to actually have your voice on the post. It would be ideal if you were to say, recite a poem, quote or key summary. Perhaps you would like to share a dialect, slang or words from another language.

First you need to create your podcast with iMovie and then you export it to Quicktime. In your post, click on the media icon in your HTML editor and browse for the movie file. It may take "some" time depending on your network and the time of day.

So here is an example of a post from iMovie HD.

Racial Slurs

Let's say you have a table or chart about racial slurs. You will want to type your description of the research, maybe how you came to these questions. Perhaps even describe some of your polling experiences. It might be more significant to point out your findings---did they meet your expectation?

Then you can write more....

Adding a chart or table to your blog entry

It is simple enough to add a chart or table that is created in Word or Excel into your blog post. In the application, simply control+click on the object. Once the object (chart or table) is complete then save it as a .jpg.

In blogger, place your cursor where you would like the image to appear. Click on the image icon from the HTML editor at the top of your posting text box. When the new window appears, select your image, select where in the post you want the image to appear (Left, Center, Right), and select the size of the image (Small, Medium, Large). Then click the upload button. The HTML code will appear in your textbox. Uploading your image should probably be done at the end of the post.