iSing?

Griffin, a company who is known to create products that are generally good for the iPod has announced the release of iKaraoke. No, I am not making this up. Apparently, it is a free-ware file that you download to your Mac or PC, and then it allows you to sing along with any song that you own.

I'm not sure of the educational ramifications - if you can think of any, please let me know. I guess for French, you could teach an "educational" song that describes the forms of a conjugated verb and then have students sing along. I'm not sure how well this would work 7-12 - I can hardly get my kids to sing "Happy Birthday". :) (They do, however, yell it quite well.)

So, have fun at your next family reunion with this new freeware. Oh yeah, and check out their site, too. They are giving away $800 of Griffin schwag (sp?). Nice.

Technorati Tags:
iPods, iTunes, Random, iKaraoke

Why Bother?

Here is a powerpoint that I will be showing on Tuesday and Wednesday at MAHETC. It will be my anticipatory set (if you will) of both my podcasting and blogging sessions. I think I did a nice job, but I'd love some feedback if you have time. Thanks!

I think all you have to do is click on this powerpoint and it will open the presentation (including music) into your browser. Please let me know if you have any problems.

Technorati Tags:
MAHETC2007, Random, iPods, education

Anti-Theft that Really Works!

Finally, an iPod anti-theft device that we KNOW will work!

Check it out here!

PS Yes, I know this is a joke. Please don't email me and tell me that it is a joke and that I'm dumb. Get a sense of humor! :)

Technorati Tags:

iPods, Random

Does podcasting enhance oral literacies?

Jane Nicholls is currently researching the benefits of podcasting and would like some help conducting her research. She writes:

*** ICT U Can!: A request for help:
I am currently undertaking research looking at the question:
In what ways does podcasting enhance oral literacies?
I have been gathering data in my own context but I would love to hear what other teachers have found when using podcasting in their classroom programme and add voices from further a field into my final write up.
I hope that you can help her with this very important question.

I think that it most certainly does. Especially if you consider the learn/unlearn/relearn literacy that Toffler wrote about. My students are learning/unlearning/and relearning with every podcast that we do - whether they produce them or just consume them. What about you? Share your opinions with this New Zealand colleague. Thanks!

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Beyond Podcasting, iPods, podcasting

MoGoPLOP and other musings...

First, I would like to wish a warm welcome to all of the new readers out there. SL is an amazing networking tool, and my readership (is that a word? It is now...) has increased dramatically. Please check out the links that I have as well as the archived postings. I'm sure that I actually had something valid to say once...

Since it has been awhile since I wrote anything content related, I thought I would tell you all about how I created this marvelous review podcast for my kiddos with text, pictures, and sound.

But I can't.

Because MoGoPop hates me.

I have tried several billion times to create material, and each time it eats it. Yes, that's right, as in I spend an hour creating a podcast and it disappears.

I've contacted the tech-dudes at MGP, and they assure me that once they release the new system, all will be fixed. I just don't really believe them. It's been about three weeks now - how long are we talking?

Please don't get me wrong, I've spoken more than once about the wonders that are MoGoPop, but right now, I'm less than thrilled. It has worked for me in the past, and I am hopeful for the future, but I feel as wounded as a girl who believes her boyfriend is cheating on her. Why, MGP? Why?

I like MGP better than other programs I've tried because it will work with any iPod with a screen - NOT just the video (read: expensive) varieties. I know it will work in the future, but how does that help me now?

Oh MoGoPop, why do you hurt me so?

Technorati Tags:
Beyond Podcasting, Education, iPods, MoGoPop, Random

Podcasting

I was going to respond to Steve's comment in another comment, but I feel that it is much easier to do so in another post.

For those of you who may not have read his comment, Steve wrote, "I'd be curious in hearing more about why you feel 2-4 minute podcasts are ideal for foreign language instruction? How are you actually using the podcasts you've got posted on the class page?"

What great questions, and I never have addressed them in a blog, so here goes.

1.) 2-4 minute podcasts
Students get easily frustrated when they listen to authentic language - realia if you will - when they are used to their teachers' accent. I have found that if podcasts are much longer than this, students get very frustrated, listen one time through and do as much as they can. Most of the earlier podcasts are around 6 to 7 minutes long, and they have been less effective than those that I have created that are shorter. In 2-4 minutes, you can go through 2-3 different "types" of listening, and the students' attention is held because of the variety that they are hearing, and it isn't long enough for them to give up. They may still be frustrated, but they will stick it out (as a rule).
The exception, of course, if music. If a song is longer than 4 minutes, they will (generally) pay attention the whole time. It is less daunting than the spoken word, as it is often slower.

2.) My podcasts
Again, in a dream world, every student of mine would already have an iPod. Since I can't live in my dreams, my students upload the podcasts to their own, personal iPod. If they don't have an iPod, mp3 player or a computer on which to listen to the podcasts, I burn them a CD. I have had to do this on numerous occasions, but it is SO worth it.
How I use each podcast depends on what it is. Some of the podcasts are homework. For these, I allow the students a week to complete the assignment. On my class website, you will notice that there are two files under podcasting - podcasts and podcast worksheets. Each worksheet corresponds with a podcast. In order to get credit for the podcast, the student much turn in the worksheet as well. There is no point in copying off your friend - they get credit for turning in the worksheet and attempting it at all. These are not easy assignments, but the students really enjoy them.
Some podcasts are extra credit. My 8th graders - who are about a chapter ahead of their high school counterparts - created a telephone answering machine podcast. I posted for just the 8th graders for awhile, so they could show off their "mad French skills" to their families. When my high schoolers got to that chapter, I gave them the 8th grade podcast as extra credit. My 8th graders were THRILLED to have their podcast used in the high school. My high schoolers thought it was an easy 5 points and loved it. It was really great, and we are going to do it again soon.
Some of my podcasts are vocab helpers. Chapter 8 in our textbook is exceptionally vocab heavy, and it is really difficult to learn all of it. I created a podcast of just the vocab words. In this case, the students don't have to use the podcast, but many of my auditory learners did anyway, as it helped them study.

I hope I explained myself well. Please - feel free to ask me questions or give me feedback at any time - and often. My postings will reflect the comments I received, so keep 'em coming!

Technorati Tags:
Beyond Podcasting, iPods, iTunes, podcasting

MAMSE 2007

I am having such a nice time at the MAMSE 2007 conference in Battle Creek! The speakers here have been great, and the company, better!

As always when I give presentations, I get questions that spur me on to thinking about bigger and better things! Today I was asked if United Streaming could work with an iPod. I did some checking, and there are more than 4000 United Streaming videos that would work with a 30 GB iPod. So, the answer to that is, yes!

I also finally found a shareware that will convert youtube into iPod friendly format. It is linked on the beyond podcasting links page to the left of your screen. I've been looking for about 6 months, but as always, perserverence pays off!

I just posted a new file, too, that can create iPod quizzes, although I think you could use MoGoPop for nicer looking quizzes - and they could be longer, too!

I know, I know, I'm a techno-geek - and I'm okay with that. I hope that other people can benefit from my interests. See you all tomorrow!

Technorati Tags:
Beyond Podcasting, iPods, podcasting, MAMSE

MoGoPop

I just discovered this new fun toy for podcasting in the classroom! It is called MoGoPop, and yes - it is free! I love it. When you sign up, you get 50 MB (I think - it's 50 something anyway) of storage (yes, free), and then can make a text/audio/photo/etc file for your iPod. I am having a bit of a struggle to get it working, but I think it is MUCH more me, and not so much the software. I tried it - if you want to try to download my content and see if it works on your iPod, the link is off to the side of my page. Happy MoGoPop-ing! :)

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Beyond Podcasting, iPods, Podcasting

mp3 and Audio Books

So I was directed to this article on audio books and mp3 players today. The article begins by referencing a teacher at the college level who is using mp3 players in her foreign language class. Why is it that universities and colleges are jumping on the bandwagon with this and high schools and middle schools are not? What is going on that secondary schools are not seeing the potential this has to impact education? But I digress...

The article goes on to talk about how only 5% of teens (of only 1000 surveyed) listen to audiobooks on their mp3 player. But I ask you, good Devil's Advocate that I am, is that really because they aren't interested? Or is it because no educator in their lives are using these amazing tools in an educational way? I believe that if I were to offer a digital version of a textbook to my students as well as a traditional kind, that my students would choose the digital version every time. It is easier to carry, and easier to access. I even had a student ask me if there was a digital version this year! I believe that if we as educators were to promote these tools, that far more students would take advantage of them.

At any rate, at the end of the article, it talks about how audiobooks will never replace the printed book. I disagree with that statement completely. That is like saying that this new fangled printing press will never replace the type-set variety! Of course the audiobook will replace the printed book - the question is when. I believe that audiobooks will look different than they do today. On my Nano, for instance, I have the first Choose Your Own Adventure. I can read along on my screen as it is read to me. How cool is that? I believe that textbooks and other educational books will be the same way - they will be available as a file that you can both read and hear. Now that is cool, and much easier for ALL students to access. So I guess the biggest question of all, is what are you waiting for?

To access this article, click here.

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Audiobooks, Education, Future Technology, iPods

MSU Tech Day

Well, here I am at another presentation. It is always so cool to be able to share new ideas. I was just talking with a couple of attendees, and they talked about how they think they can use this information in hearing impaired classrooms - to teach sign language to those with hearing or to teach new information to those who cannot hear. How totally cool! I hadn't thought of the ramifications of iPods in that context, but WOW!

Also, though, you could maybe use a tablet PC in the same way, or potentially a portable media device, but the memory of an iPod might make it still the most preferable way to carry the information.

I realized that I don't have my email posted. If you'd like to email me, please do so - anytime. I hope that you all will comment on the blogs I have posted, and email as well. Remember - we need each other to be experts - you can't do it on your own, and neither can I.

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Beyond Podcasting, iPods, iTunes, Podcasting, MSU Tech Day

CYOA

It's hard to imagine my childhood without books. I mean, just about every memory I have, I was reading a book. I loved them. They were the only thing I could guarantee my Mom and Dad would buy me - no matter if it was a holiday, my birthday, or a Wednesday.

Now, believe it or not, Choose Your Own Adventure has come to iPod. That's right - you can download CYOA to your iPod and read/listen to it. Best of all, the first edition is free to download! Go here for more information.

For those of you old enough to be psyched about this - isn't this the coolest thing ever????? For those of you who are not old enough to be psyched, then, well, download it!

Technorati Tags:
Audiobooks, iPods, iTunes

Sorry so long...

Wow - it has been a really long time since I have posted anything in my blog, so I thought I'd better give an update on how things are going. I have been super busy in my personal life as well as in my professional life. I have been asked to speak at an upcoming technology conference at MSU, which is very exciting. Also, I am now considered to be my school's "recording" expert, which is a teensy-bit scary. I don't know that anyone is an expert in anything in relation to technology anymore. I think it is all changing so fast - we need to help each other and be "mutual experts".

I recently purchased a new product called the Hitch. It is a cool way to transfer files from one mp3 (iPod) to another, as well as connect any two USB devices. Very cool. Of course, mine isn't working very well at the moment. When I get it working, I will have a post on here about the wonders of the Hitch. :)

Lastly, you'll probably notice that my blog has a new look. I didn't think we were getting enough webtraffic on the other site, so I transfered to a more "public" location. Still, if you are interested in links from presentations I have done, please look at the delicious site, which is still up and running.

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Beyond Podcasting, iPods, Random

Are all mp3 Players Alike???

So one of the teachers in my department who just got 10 mp3 players (SanDisk Sansa players, to be exact) to use with her AP class. Most of the "wonderful" ideas that I have involve at MINIMUM a textual component, which this player does not have. I know that it won't do pictures, but I don't think that it will do text, either. So.....Are all players created equal? I'm thinking not. If that is the case, did we just purchase *gasp* - dare I say it - expensive tape recorders? Thoughts?

Technorati Tags:
iPods, Random

Starting Out

I am so excited about the iPod prospects - not only for my classroom - but for my school. I thought that the use of iPods could aid in the acquisition of material, but I was surprised that after only one week that the numbers could jump so quickly!I did learn a few very important things. Firstly, 7 minutes is just too long. I need to try and keep the podcasts to around 2-5 minutes if possible. This is a bit complicated by the addition of a song to my podcast, but I know that it could be do-able.I've also found that some students just don't know as much about podcasts as you'd think they do. I was surprised to find that many of my students did not know what a podcast was, let alone how to access it. I even had a student tell me that he didn't use iTunes because it was expensive (iTunes is a free download - music costs around $.99 per song, but most podcasts and some music are free)!This week, I'll be giving the kids a digital story that they have to watch/listen to, and then fill out a short questionnaire about. I'm hoping that this will equally help them. Also, later this year I hope to have the kids do their own photostory - much like they would for a video project.

Technorati Tags:
iPods, iTunes, Podcasting