The beginning ....

I have been a teacher in Children's Serivces for many years, but it was not until July 2006 that I actually was given the chance to see things from a different perspective.

While acting as the Community Services Teaching and Learning Manager I was introduced to a number of teaching resources that had never been part of my bag of tricks .... the iPod was one of many but quickly took my attention as a resource that had huge potential.

I attented a professional development seminar that opened my eyes to many things ... I previously had a iPod, the older version without the video capacity and only used it for playing music. After seeing many exciting ways to use the newer iPod video I left with many ideas of how I could use it.

What can the iPod do? ....

• can be used with PC or a Mac



• play music and other audio recordings



• show digital stories



• show powerpoint slide shows



• show videos e.g. from the internet - podcasts - MP4s



• act as an external storage device



• create audio recordings

Not only was it good for me as a teacher, but I could use this device to enhance my teaching with students ... I realised that ...

• students are using technolgy with their friends on a daily basis



• the iPod combines visual and auditory - multi sensory learning



• I could show stuff to students individually or as a group



• the iPod is engaging, many people have one and like other technolgy do not realise it's full potential



• being portable I could use it in many ways, on excursions, in the workplace, in classrooms without computers



• the iPod would stimulate interest



• the iPod could be interactive depending on the design of the materials used

So after pondering this for a few weeks, I went shopping for the iPod bargain and brought my first 80GB Video Ipod.

Now with the device in my hands I only had one challenge to overcome .. how to use the thing!