Comments on: It is NOT the iPod’s Fault

By: Peter Rock

Peter Rock — Tue, 08 May 2007 08:02:21 +0000

Yes, a “(e.g. 1, 2, 3…)” on top of a generic term is the better way to go.

What we really want as teachers is to stop the irrational banning of something as useful as a recording and playback device. When they are seen as just that, it’s not as easy to put up a rational argument to ban them.

Limiting the description to just “music player” is another example I’m intimate with. Unfortunately, in my current school, these devices are referred to as “music players” (i.e. in the official policy) and have been banned from school altogether - a recently redrafted policy and enforced policy as of this year. Students are not to have them in their possession between 7:15 and 3:15 on a school day. The reasoning the director used was “we want students to do things with each other, not listen to music”. Of course, that line of thinking is absurd but the fact that these devices are perceived as things only used to “play music” has worked in favor of those wishing to keep them off campus.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 07 May 2007 18:01:21 +0000

Hi Peter —

Thanks for your comments.

For now — since the term iPod was used — I will continue to use that in my letter — but (smiles) when the main directive is rewritten, I will remind them to use the phrase “recording and playback devices” (ie ipod, mp3 player, cell phones, etc!)

Thanks again!
Jennifer

By: Eric Langhorst

Eric Langhorst — Mon, 07 May 2007 14:26:43 +0000

Great letter. We currently have a policy on i-Pods that is almost exactly what you mentioned - it is up to each individual teacher and many do allow the use of i-Pods in class right now. I also use them to create StudyCasts for my students. I did a podcast about it last week: http://speakingofhistory.blogspot.com/2007/04/podcast-80-students-cheating-with-i.html

Thanks.

Eric Langhorst

By: Jennifer W

Jennifer W — Mon, 07 May 2007 13:45:36 +0000

Hi Peter —

I agree with you completely —

right now, though, I am only going to address the iPod banning issue — BUT when we right up the instructions to go to teachers, parents, and students — we will change the wording to recording and playback devices (such as iPods, mp3 players, etc!)

Good point. You reminded me of the device my friend (who is a coach) wears when she is running with the kids. It looks like sunglasses — but in actuality it is a mp3 player. http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/000176.html

Thank you to EVERYONE for their kind words, suggestions, and encouragement.

Thank you to WES for trusting me with your blog.

Jen

By: Peter Rock

Peter Rock — Mon, 07 May 2007 09:00:48 +0000

I would drop “iPod” and use a generic phrase like “recording and playback devices”. In this case, using a trademark means bringing in the consumerism the device name is trying to elicit by its very nature. Those who are against you are more likely to be open to a generic term as their minds may simply shut off when they hear “iPod”. Plus, there is the fact that the iPod is just one of many choices of possible devices.

Good luck.

By: Brett Moller

Brett Moller — Mon, 07 May 2007 03:20:50 +0000

Great letter Wes, I will be spending some time writing about this issue soon as it is something that is coming up as I enter back into the classroom. As I mentioned on Dave Warlick’s blog this morning, we need to continue to fight this up hill battle by doing exactly what you have done in this letter by helping the community realise how these tools can be used in education. Good luck - Look forward to hearing how it goes….

By: Dawn Peterson

Dawn Peterson — Mon, 07 May 2007 02:44:13 +0000

Perhaps you should also remind your administrators that anything, even the most primitive items such as paper and pen, can be used as a tool for cheating. Students have cheated before schools were even erected, so I doubt that banning ipods will eradicate the problem. In my opinion, a teacherâ€™s best defense against this behavior is to create authentic assessments that make it more difficult for students to copy, duplicate, or plagiarize.

By: Mrs. Durff

Mrs. Durff — Mon, 07 May 2007 00:42:04 +0000

Let us know how it goes! It would be a sad thing. I have to break my school’s rules and have helped our Spanish teacher make podcasts. Our principal has 3 on our school’s website. I podcast with the primary kids on Fridays (one teacher’s name is Clever - so we call it Clever kids!) But we, as well as other schools, have the ultra conservative, uninitiated, web1.0ish faculty and school board members with whom we must work. Thankfully, our principal and superintendent are more tech savvy at the moment.

By: Langwitches

Langwitches — Sun, 06 May 2007 23:47:48 +0000

Jennifer,

Thank you so much for sharing your letter.

It reminded me that I needed to address the issue of banned iPods at my school in a more official manner….and soon…before the beginning of next school year.
We need to harness the power of those little devices and direct the students’ enthusiasm for “their kind of technology” towards learning.

Thank you again.
Silvia