iPhone+and+iPod+Touch...The+Wave+of+The+New+Generation!!

The iPhone and iPod Touch Are All We Need...

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I made this video to remind us of where it all began and how far we have come!

**Our Options**
As cell phones and iPods become more commonplace in our schools today, our teachers have a couple of options. They can choose to ban these devices from the classroom furthering the chasm that seems to be occurring between teachers and technology, or they can embrace what these devices can offer to enrich and make meaningful the classroom experience. Currently, it is up to the teacher to choose how she wishes to proceed. Personally, I love the idea of including what is already a part of our students’ worlds with the technology they are going to have to know how to use in the real world and providing an environment where manners are reinforced and learning is enriched. The iPod touch and the iPhone are two devices that take the technology our students are already carrying around and provide a medium to create learning that is interactive and real to our students and their futures.

 The iPod touch and iPhone are more than one technology wrapped into a small device. These units are more like three technologies put together. The iPod touch is a combination of iPod and personal computer that can surf the internet using wifi connections, where the iPhone adds the element of a cell phone and 3G internet capabilities into the mix, along with a camera and video recorder. In order to really explore the capabilities of these devices, one should understand the history behind the individual creations of the phone, the computer and iPod.

**The History **
So let us start with what came first: the phone. As most of us are aware, the “official discovery” of the telephone happened in March of 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell. This was obviously a crude model of what we have come to consider the telephone and involved many wires, switchboards and had very limited capabilities. Since my technology deals with cell phones, let us skip ahead almost 100 years to the advent of cellular technology. The first cell phones were designed for use in the car in 1947. It was discovered then that small cells could be used to increase the capabilities for these car phones. Jump ahead even farther to 1968 when the FCC agreed to let certain companies begin the exploration of cell use on a wider range. Motorola and AT&T made prototypes for cell phones in 1977 at which time demand for the units outweighed the cellular capabilities. It was determined that the cell phone was something that people really wanted and the possibilities went beyond just a “car phone.” By 1986 the first real “mass marketing” of cell phones had begun. The “first cell phones” were huge in size by today’s standards. They were clunky, expensive and did not hold a charge. As technology increased, so did the capabilities of the cell phone. By 1999, most Americans were considering subscribing to a cell phone plan for at least one cell phone per family. By 2007, 250 million Americans owned a cell phone with the age range of those owners roughly between 10-99 years. Cell phones are everywhere and in fact, I think it is harder to find someone who does not own a cell phone. It appears that cell phones are beginning to replace the traditional landlines and companies, such as AT&T are rushing to find ways to maintain profits with the decrease in landline usage.

 Now let us consider the computer evolution. In 1946 the first computers were being developed. These computers were huge, often the size of a room, required tons of electricity to make them run and were used mainly for the military. They were programmed with the use of tape and punch cards. Keyboards were used to inscribe data onto these mediums. Personal computers were a long way off. In the 1960’s people began to recognize the application of computers for businesses. Some schools were beginning to utilize their basic functions but there were none in classrooms yet. These computers were still somewhat large, still used punch cards and tapes and were not even equipped with word processing programs. By 1971, Intel “developed” the first PC and companies began writing instructional software. By the late 1970’s, Apple donated millions of its Apple I PCs to schools. Their main usage was to teach very basic programming and typing. (I remember this!) In the late 1980’s, college students were starting to see the need to own a computer for word-processing and gaming. There were some applications for balancing a checkbook and keeping records, but no real internet usage yet. Apple seemed to be on the cutting edge of college computer owners. Apple made deals with university bookstores that helped to make the Apple computer affordable for college students. Internet usage became more readily availble in 1995 and has not stopped since. The internet seems to have kicked both computer usage and applications into hyper drive. Computers are becoming faster and smaller at the same time. Personal computers are quickly giving way to laptops and even smaller computers such as notebooks and now, to some extent, iPhones and iPod touches. Apple computers and PCs still are fighting for dominance in both the education and business world. At the moment, PCs seem to dominate the business market where Apples have a strong hold on the home/school industries.

 Now onto the creation of the iPod. Since the advent of the Sony Walkman in 1979, consumers have strived for an increasingly smaller way to carry their selection of music around with them. They like the quality of a CD with the transportability of a tape. In response to this, Apple created and introduced the iPod in 2001. The addition of iTunes, ease of use, and the possibility of carrying your entire music library with you always, the iPod idea shot off. Since its introduction, iTunes has increased the iPod’s possibilities to more than just music. Now videos, podcasts, iTunes university among other things have increased the value and worth of this “music device.” In fact, to many educational institutions, it has become more than just a music device, which is why I chose to look at iPhones, and iPod touches for my technology case study.

 So what do the phone, the computer and the iPod have to do with technology in the classroom? Well, the iPod touch is basically the combination of an iPod with simple computer applications rolled into one. The IPhone has taken this a step further and added the component of a phone, digital camera and video capabilities to the iPod and computer. Apple has basically shrunk down most of the important things people want in a personal computer, including Safari internet browsing, into the size of a large cell phone. The iPod touch can surf the web through basic Wi-Fi internet channels. The iPhone allows the same wireless technology with the added ability to use the cell technology (3G) to surf the internet. The iPhone can even be plugged into a laptop to increase the laptops surfing ability where internet access would otherwise be impossible. Since I do not own either, and I could not get Apple to send me one, (believe me, I tried) I have to talk about this technology second hand with only research behind my observations, but what I found out was incredible.

Classroom Applications
The iPhone and iPod touch have incredible applications for the classroom. In fact, much of their applications begin with “apps,” which is short for their downloadable applications. Apple has made the downloading of many applications and in fact, the programming of custom applications as easy as a touch screen push of the button. There are applications for the teacher, including grade books, lesson plans, and videos. There are preprogrammed applications for students such as scientific notation and graphing calculators, date books, as well as the ability to make podcasts and, with the iPhone, video functions. Students can interact with classroom computers on real time as well as upload pictures and text to the website all using the internet. The devises can then sync with their home PCs to download homework and upload tests. The uses for these devices seem incredible. When you consider the basic model is $229. for an IPod touch and IPhone can be as little as $99. with the right phone plan, it is a wonder we do not employ these technologies more in the classroom. A good scientific notation calculator is about $100 on sale. These devices could easily replace that at along with adding other applications for very little more money. Along with the basic features, Apple claims that it is easy to program the unit to create your own applications if one of the millions out there does not do exactly what you want it to. These devices allow instant access to information as well as immediate feedback for students. They are interactive within the classroom and can be used for student responses to questions as well as tests. The applications include things as simple as setting up flash cards to watching podcasts from iTunes. I was really impressed with the possibilities.

 The Apple Genius told me to Google Abilene Christian University. This university has implemented the use of these hand held devices working closely with Apple. They instituted a program the Fall of 2008 in which all incoming freshman received either an iPod touch or an iPhone. The university professors were trained on the uses and applications of the devices as were the students. These devices became the freshman’s guide to all things in university social life, as well as all things academic. The following videos were prepared for the university, with Apple’s help, to introduce many of the features of these devices and how they may be used on both the social and academic levels. The first video deals more with the social aspects of university life, and includes not only the idea that university wide warnings could be sent to the devices of all students but also a GPS map of the university is available to help new students find their way around. The devices link to both the students’ home computers as well as the university’s websites and classroom sites. media type="youtube" key="Tp8fHgp0xhU" height="364" width="445"

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The video says that no one at the campus walks around with a backpack. This is because their class notes (taken by one person in class) are available on their devices, the texts are on their phones (no need for kindle here, and with a little “work” the texts can even be read to them by their phones) and the interactive nature of their classes all involve the applications of these devices. Professors at this university have said that the devices have replaced the need for students to bring their personal laptops and have virtually eliminated the “wall” that is created between students writing notes verbatim behind a laptop screen. Students seem more engaged and involved in their learning. This university seems to be on the cutting edge applying the use of these devices to their fullest providing learning that is interesting, engaging and creating an atmosphere that uses the social technologies of today with the learning applications that create meaningful learning.

Personally, I think every new teacher should consider investing in one of these devices. Aside from the fact that it is possibly something we can write off, it also has the features of many things that new teachers need in the classroom. Just the applications that are included with the iPhone can easily be implemented on a regular basis in the classroom. Every teacher needs a digital camera, a way to make videos and a way to record podcasts. Check, check, check. The iPhone has them all. Instant internet access to those answers that kids ask you, like how many lenses a fly’s eyes have. Check, a quick Google search will gain the answer. Not to mention access to videos on sites such as youtube.com or other blocked, yet still appropriate internet sites. The cool thing is that if you link you iPhone to your laptop, the internet capabilities will apply to them as well! Instead of investing in a cd player, the new teacher can invest in a cheap iPod music dock and download all her music to her iPhone. I could see using the GPS application for teaching students about maps and calculating routes and distances. There is even the capability to cut, copy and paste. The tech savvy teacher with a wiki or blog can use this function to update her site. Although there is not word application, yet, this is probably because there is no external keyboard that is standard… yet. There is the scientific notation graphing calculator as well as a dictionary and many, many other features. Again, these are before the downloaded apps. [|iPhone included apps] <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;"> media type="youtube" key="E4aQpczZC00" height="360" width="580"

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<span style="color: #800080; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;"> Students could implement these devices much as they are at Abilene Christian University. Even in elementary school, if a student had this device, they could use it when computers are scarce and in short supply. They could almost replace a computer, minus the word capability, for research and educational games/practice. But I can really see them being used in an interactive way in high school. You would need a plan like ACU implemented, done with the right timing, the right PTA financial backing, and the right teacher enthusiasm. It would need the administrations approval for adapting curriculum and addressing the needs of students. I think, much as at ACU, it would provide a platform for discussion and interactive learning. If every high schooler was issued an iPod touch, or was somehow supplied with one, through either grants or PTA funding, they would all be on the same platform and supported in the same way. They could all make their own podcasts and interact on wiki’s and blogs in real time. An iPod touch would be usable on the school’s wireless connections where the iPhone would require a contract with a cell phone company, but that part of the equation could be left up to the parents. Either way, the students would all be walking around with their laptops in their hands. It could be very remarkable, especially for a technology type high school. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: small; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">[|The iSchool Initiative] <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">[|Ning Classroom 2.0-uses for iPod touch in classroom] <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;"> <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #800080; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Ethics
<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> The ethics behind this technology would be the same for having a computer and internet access in the classroom, and in the case of the iPhone, cell phone use. Students will be tempted to surf the net, explore facebook as well as text each other, and communicate when they are not supposed to. Students could also be tempted to cheat and plagiarize much in the same way the use of internet and laptops would. However, by implementing a program like at ACU, I believe it also creates an opportunity to guide the students in the proper usage of the technology, involving when and where to use it. Students could be lead to a contract or code of honor to follow where they “promise” not to surf while in class or promise not to distract others. I am not so naive to think that some still will not, but what a great opportunity to allow those who do not to lead the others who might be tempted. A completely new social norm could be created. There could also be penalties for “getting caught” although I hate that idea. I would prefer to go in with the bar held extremely high and give the students and opportunity to step up. I think, perhaps naively that if we introduce what we expect, why we expect it, and implement a code of conduct that is modeled by the teachers, students will understand and conform.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> On the other hand, since students will not have access to keyboards, students will continue to have to physically write their in class reports. This could be seen as both a good thing and a bad thing. For the students it would be a bad thing since they would then need to retype anything they had written during class in order to submit it to the teacher. I think the teacher could adapt her class so this would not occur using class time to practice other skills or write papers to be turned in immediately. On the good side, the teachers would be able to give the students extra practice writing by hand in effect preparing them for the high learning tests such as AP English and History. Again, with the right teacher, this could be considered a good thing. I think the lack of keyboard could present a problem and interfaces into how the technology will change in the future a few paragraphs down.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> When talking about ethics, one must also consider what would happen if these devices were lost, stolen or broken. What would be the consequence? And what if a student “borrowed” another students device only to compromise their entries onto a wiki page. There is also the possibility that these devices may be used for inappropriate things on sites such as youtube.com and facebook. Again, I think a strict code of conduct may help reduce these negative effects, but parents still will need to be made aware of the possibilities. The school would need to be very clear from the beginning of such a program what the expectations are. Teachers as well as parents and students all need to be educated on the devices uses and proper usages inside and outside of the classroom. A combined effort can make a program like this effective. Of course, there is always the possibility of leaving the devices locked up in the classroom every night, coming out only for classroom use, but that seems like a waste of the devices potential. <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;">



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<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The Future
<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> I know that a program like this often comes down to money and the willingness of teachers and administrators to adapt, but I really believe Apple has the right idea on where technology is headed, especially in education. I was very surprised to find that keyboard/screen docking stations do not yet exist. If Apple is taking this handheld computer idea where I think it should go, there will be computer/screen docking stations in every classroom, or at least keyboard docks. These devices have small screens and using them for long lengths of time could cause eyestrain. I would like to see Apple develop some type of larger screen that clips onto these devices. I see classrooms of the future equipped with large magnifying screens that are also touch interactive in which these devices will slip into. Having this larger screen capability will also help with kindle applications to the classroom texts making them easier to read. (Although these devices do have a way to magnify text already) I can also see the devices having word applications and attachable keyboards. Basically, these devices will replace the laptop. (Actually, I was told that attaching a screen and keyboard is a laptop.) The difference is that the only thing people will have to carry around anymore will be this little cell phone. The contents of their computers, the web capabilities and the instant access to information anywhere will always be at their fingertips. These devices will be their personal computers. There will be docking stations at schools, offices and, of course, at home. All these possibilities at a fraction of the price of some laptops (for example the MacBooks). I think this is huge.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> I am going to end by saying that when I started to do my research for this case study I wrote an email to Apple. It was my hope that since they knew I was enthusiastic about their devices (especially the iPhone) they would send me one to try out. Needless to say, they did not take my hint, although they were very nice and sent me to a few websites. What really would have been the icing on the cake would have been to send a poor graduate student an iPhone to help her with her research paper. Therefore, I am going to end by saying this. After having what I consider a “lemon” of a MacBook, which has cost me hundreds of dollars in repairs and it still does not work right, and the general lack of help at the Genius bar for me personally, I am concerned about the durability of the iPhone and iPod touch. I love the features, but am not convinced of their Genius bar support or length of life being lugged around by students. For that reason, I would love to see the PC manufacturers come out with a viable clone to these devices. I do think Apple is on the cutting edge, but their customer service has fallen short. Mind you, I have only owned one MacBook, and I love its applications as well and will probably be grudgingly purchasing a new one for Fall, I am concerned about spending the type of money it would require for even one high school to implement the iPod touch usage, in just one company. I have seen some iPhone copies, such as the Nokia and Palm Pre phones, but the reviews on these do not seem to be as favorable as the iPhone. It will be interesting to watch which if any the schools adapt. It may come down to the ongoing battle between apple interface and a pc interface on our phones! Apple seems to be ahead of the game already dominating the apps market and development. The iPod already is dominating the portable music department. I like the iPod touch and iPhone a whole lot. I also really like the possible applications to the classroom. In any case, I am sold on an iPhone for myself and eagerly hope to get one the next time my cell phone contract expires!

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<span style="color: #ff00ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%; text-align: center;">"If you give people tools, [and they use] their natural ability and their curiosity, they will develop things in ways that will surprise you very much beyond what you might have expected."--Bill Gates ====== <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 28px; text-align: center;">

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<span style="color: #ba00ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%; text-align: center;">"Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important!"--Bill Gates ======

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