tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11561102.post-1114156011522585622005-04-22T00:46:00.000-07:002005-04-22T00:46:51.523-07:00Recently there have been a number of articles and blog postings about how great the iPod is as a learning tool. Most of this was triggered by Apple’s own statements. But is it true or just hype?<br /><br />What does the iPod offer me as a student? It offers me the ability to record lectures, class discussion and my own comments or speech/presentation delivery practice. It also enables me to load things (photos and data) to it for me to read or take from school or the training site to my home. Finally, it keep me n schedule.<br /><br />Could I have done the above in the pre-iPod era? Yes. The iPod in that sense has added little. So then, what has the iPod added? It has added convenience. No longer do I have to use cassette tapes winding and re-winding, or for those that aren’t that old, you no longer have to worry about handing MDs.<br /><br />The iPod is not so much about something new. It’s about making what we could do much more practical. This is not an inconsequential thing! People are much more likely to record others or themselves now than they were in the pre-iPod era. They’ll do that not only because the iPod is handy but because it’s easy to use and, it’s cool! This is what makes it powerful.<br /><br />For e-learning the iPod can be an important tool as we can do Podcasting or simply add MP3s to our instruction that can be downloaded to be listed to on the way to work, for example. The iPod or other MP3 players can become efficiency tools for e-learning. They are not a drastic breakthrough but a valuable addition.<br /><br />Comments on the creative use of iPods or MP3 players in e-learning are welcome!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11561102-111415601152258562?l=grayharriman.com%2Fblogger.html' alt='' /></div>Gray Harrimannoreply@blogger.com4