Using iPods in Education

I have clearly been remiss in letting you know that my handheld "guru," Tony Vincent, has a great series of podcasts available either on his website (March 25th post for Episode 11) or through iTunes (free for Mac or PC) called "Learning in Hand: iPods." (Search on "Tony Vincent" in iTunes-you'll find it faster.) There are 11 episodes now available including:

1. Hard Disk Mode
2. Downloading Videos
3. Main Menu
4. iPod Shuffle Tips
5. Troubleshooting
6. Notes
7. iQuiz
8. Manage Manually
9. Photos (pt. 1)
10. Photos (pt. 2)
11. Artwork & Lyrics

Also, don't forget about Tony's earlier series of podcasts called "Soft Reset" which gives great tips and tricks for Palm and Windows based handheld computers.

Finally, remember that I am ready, willing and able to come to your school to offer training on educational use of handheld "gadgets" including iPods and handhelds. Just contact the CESA 7 ETS department director, Chris Rogers (crogers@cesa7.k12.wi.us) for more info.

Twitter to learn

If you haven't already heard of Twitter and you have a cell phone, you might want to check out its potential for learning. A post in Techlearning gives you an idea as to how this tool, which basically encourages you to text the answer to "What are you doing?" in 140 characters or less, can be used as a staff development tool. The power of social-networking allows you to stay in touch with some real movers and shakers in technology, including such folk as Wil Richardson, David Jakes, David Warlick, Kim Cofino and many more. Or, you can follow your favorite political candidate...both Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton Twitter. (Well, actually, I think it's their staff that does...) Check out my Twitter page!

f u cn read dis alrdy thn u may nt nd 2 read dis post

Textspeak...is it changing our language or perhaps impacting how well our students write? According to this ReviewJournal.com article "cell phone text messaging is spawning debate on the difference between 'ryt' and wrong.' ...this odd but useful assemblage of symbols used routinely by thumb-typing people -- most of them youngish -- for quick communication. As an adjunct language, textspeak is practical, concise and, often, really creative."

"There's no consensus in the academic community regarding textspeak. Some teachers say text messaging is a form of writing, and anything that prompts students to write is good. Others argue that textspeak isn't the sort of writing that will endear students to either teachers or future employers They do agree that although not widespread, textspeak increasingly seems to be making its way into schoolwork."

The best ways for teachers to explain to students why it's not acceptable in the classroom: 1. The age-old "your write differently for different audiences" and 2. Employers are increasingly demanding excellent verbal and written skills.

Ian Jukes' latest post to his "Committed Sardine" blog included some of the key points from the article as well as a great resource to help you translate textspeak to English...or vice-versa.

Lingo2Word can help. Go to the site and type in a message and it will be deciphered into relatively standard English. Lingo2Word translates works the other way, too.

Here are two examples of classic writing as they might look if sent as text messages:

4 scor n 7 yrs ago r dads brawt 4th on dis cn10nt a nu n8tN, conceivd n Liberty, n dedic8d 2 d proposal dat ll men r cr8d eql. That’s Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

twinkl twinkl lil * ^ abov d wrld so fr
That's the nursery rhyme Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Will textspeak ever become acceptable in the classroom--I doubt it, but... im uzn it wen i txt on my smrtfon coz d butns r jst 2 sml 2 typ ot d hol wrd...it maks my thums sor!

Translated: I am using it when I text on my smartphone because the buttons are just too small to type out the whole word...it makes my thumbs sore!