It’s no news that iPods have quite a following and can be literally found everywhere. But, is it right to use it in the classroom? (Educators everywhere sigh collectively and shake their heads in disapproval.)
Quite obviously, students lean more (if not entirely) towards allowing iPods in school whilst most educators ban them unequivocally. Let’s see how it all weighs out and get an insight for ourselves, whether our children should/shouldn’t carry them to school.
Cons:
a. Teachers are bothered that students might be too distracted and unable to listen to them as they conduct their lessons in class.
b. Students might download pornography or inappropriate media and bring them to school, where other students might be affected.
c. iPods may be used as a tool for cheating. Some teachers have overheard students planning to download formulas for math exams and the like.
d. iPods might be a target for theft.
e. Some educators are concerned that students become isolated and antisocial. Instead of tuning into other people, they are left tuned into themselves.
f. Students can become so engrossed in listening to music that they may completely tune out what going on around them, causing unnecessary mishaps.
g. Students might be playing their music too loud and could cause damage to their hearing.
Pros:
a. Students find that listening to music calms them down and thus become better at school work.
b. It gives students something to do when there is downtime at school; or while riding the bus to or from school. (Watch a movie or an educational video, perhaps?)
c. Students are able to show their individuality by the kind of music they listen to.
d. Students disagree that they will become antisocial; in fact, they believe it is a good way to connect with their peers, by sharing their music with them (as there are two headphones to split with a friend.)
e. iPods can be used to record lectures in class and listened to when reviewing for exams. This is also favorable when the teacher talks too fast; you can just rewind and listen again.
f. There are available educational podcasts that students can tune in to that can aid them in their learning.
g. Students can install educational applications such as dictionaries, bibles, and calculators thus eliminating added bulk to their backpacks/lockers.
h. Audio lessons can be listened to before class thus allowing the students more time to work during class.
i. It could be more beneficial for teachers (whose been teaching the same lesson over and over) to record and podcast their lesson. That way they won’t miss including important points in their topic.
j. Recorded lessons can be shared with students that are absent.
k. Podcast lessons are much more accurate rather than reviewing from notes.
