iPods in the classroom

  Eyewitness News' Kemberly Richardson

(New York -WABC, February 1, 2006) (WABC) -- Maybe you've heard the plea: 'hey dad I need an iPod for school.' Maybe you've said, 'yeah, right.' But the next time, before you say no, maybe you should reconsider.

In tonight's Extra, the iPod is being taken to a new level: used in schools to teach.

Here's Kemberly Richardson.

Those little white headphones, the unmistakable sign of technology. But what may surprise you is what a growing number of students at universities in our area are listening to on their ipods: Lectures.

Dr. Letty Moss-Salentijn is a professor at the College of Dental Medicine at Columbia University. She's at the forefront of a new trend in teaching, podcasting.

Dr. Letty Moss-Salentijn, Professor: "I am a fool for new stuff and so I said 'ok, let's try it.'"

The concept is simple. She wires up with a microphone and digital recorder. After class, the information is uploaded to a website and students can download audio files to install on their ipods.

It's a way for busy students to maximize their time.

Dr. Letty Moss-Salentijn: "I have professional students, their lives are complicated many have families, a lot of demands on their time."

Students like Pooris Shahin, who has a long commute.

So those are the basics, but some professors are taking the concept of podcasting to the next level. Imagine a field trip to an art exhibit without ever stepping foot in a museum.

George Otte, the Director of Instructional Technology at CUNY says the sky is the limit with podcasting. Instead of correcting a student's paper in red ink, professors could give oral feedback and much more.

George Otte, Dir. of Instructional Technology, CUNY: "I would love to use podcasts as a way of sitting in and listening in on students doing great work, having discussions."

The obvious drawbacks are the lack of visuals, the ability to ask questions and what some worry about most, students not coming to class at all.

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•