Mp3 players bring new life to speaking assessments

Mp3 technology has radically transformed the process of recording pupils’ speaking and listening assessments in the languages classroom. Maureen Gilchrist, Principal Teacher of Modern Languages at Holyrood Secondary School in Glasgow, explains how she records and saves a substantial collection of files for assessment.

iPods now double as study aids

Virtual Wisdom: Sound Off! MP3s and Digital Audio Devices in the Classroom

This link provides an article orginally published in Volume E1, Issue 3 of the Big6 eNewsletter. It provides an argument for embracing the use of digital audio devices in the classroom and the importance of educators to remain current on technological advances and change in order to use it to educate our students.

Every Student Needs an mp3 Player in Class

This link explores the educational power hidden in Apple’s iPod Video players. Although much of the information can also be applied to many other mp3 players that are on the market today.

Highlighted Features:

1. Audiobooks


2. Photo Database


3. Voice Recorder


4. Calendar


5. Firewire Hard Drive

Podcasting: Co-opting MP3 Players for Education and Training Purposes

This link provides a research article covering the following main topics:

• Podcasting: Co-opting MP3 Players for Education and Training Purposes


• Four Unique Attributes of Podcasting


• Uses of Podcasts


• Podcasts Basics


• Words of Caution for Podcasters


• Podcasting and Beyond

Below is the Abstract included with the article.

ABSTRACT
Podcasting and podcatching provide trainers and teachers with powerful, personal tools for delivering exactly the right content to learners at teachable moments—anytime, anywhere. The strength of podcasting lies in the potency of voice communication, which cuts through the dense text of the Internet and offers a human connection during distance training. In addition, podcasting offers the ability for learners to multitask and to time-shift content. Trainers, professors and librarians have already begun using podcasting for myriad training and learning situations, and new tools are making podcast production possible for novices. Copyright, security, searchability, archival, and diversity are some of the current concerns podcasters must address as they develop this new instructional avenue.