WGBH iTunesU Podcasts

Video podcasts found on iTunesU - WGBH Teacher Domain can very useful to teachers! "Why Doesn't the Moon Fall Down?" (grades K-5) provides a creative reason why the Moon orbits Earth instead of Earth's gravity causing it to "fall". As I teacher, I could share this explanation with my class. Or, I could SHOW this video to my class!

I also checked out "Booming Sands" (grades 9-12), which is focused on the Dumont Dunes in Death Valley (located on the border of California and Nevada). A group of students from Caltech did research on the reason why dunes "sing" or "boom". As sand moves via the wind, potential energy changes to kinetic energy and again to acoustic energy. To be honest, this video was of NO INTEREST to me. BUT, in the classroom, I could utilize this video if I were a science teacher. Who knows? Maybe this video could inspire a student to pursue a career in dune exploration?!?!

WGBH also has a link to the Teacher's Domain website that, in my opinion, is MUCH easier to use vs. iTunesU. There, I found a video that teaches simple algebra by the means of shopping! It's very important to "get it" with the introduction of algebra. Some kids have trouble and give up WAY TOO SOON! This video uses something we (well, most of us) enjoy and tricks us into learning algebra! I like this concept! I've attempted to include the video below...


What I like best about the WGBH iTunesU video podcasts is that they're pretty short. The ones I checked out were no longer than 3 minutes. That's about all the time you need. Show the video to the class and follow-up with a discussion.

"Edible Schoolyard" and "A Night in the Global Village"

Edible Schoolyard is an outdoor classroom located at Martin Luther King Junior Middle School in Berkeley, CA. Students grow their own food and prepare meals in their own kitchen at school. I've worked with outdoor classrooms and they're a FUN hands-on creative project. Students you wouldn't think would be interested are actually the one's who really get involved! Kids like to "make stuff" . . . what better way than for them to actually see that THEY can grow something and then prepare a meal!

I have to be biased . . . MOBILE CO'S DOING THIS ALREADY! Booker T. Washington Middle School already had a "home economics" course, but was recently awarded grant funding for a greenhouse as an outdoor classroom. Collier Elem, Allentown Elem, Baker High, and Bryant CTC (to name a few) also have outdoor classrooms.

If I were a teacher today, I'd definitely incorporate this hands-on concept! Plus, students develop PRIDE in what THEY'RE doing!

A Night in the Global Village: Role Playing Life in Poverty is a program in Perryville, Arkansas. Students spend the night at a camp with very little resources to get them through the night. They experience what it's like if they were poverty-stricken or a refugee. On top of that, some students were given an (imaginary) ailment such as the loss of a hand or being pregnant. Kids have to build a fire and cook their food...with no McDonald's ANYWHERE!

"Edible Schoolyard" and "A Night in the Global Village" are both great examples of hands-on programs. Kids today are basically spoiled rotten! They take so many things for granted! They think clothes comes from the mall and food comes from a restaurant. These programs enlighten them first-hand about real life!

iTunes University

The BEST thing about iTunes University is that it's FREE! iTunes University is a way to research subjects as well as share your own information with the world!

As a teacher, I can search for additional material to help students better understand a lesson. For example, I'm helping my students study for the Geography CRT. The study guide includes 196 questions. The material is pretty broad and ranges from facts on Asia to China. I can gather iTunes University podcasts for information such as "When Asia Was the World" and "Landscapes of China". Students will gain more by LISTENING to something INTERESTING (that's short and sweet) vs. reading a 50-page chapter in a book. I hate to say that, but it's true.

I can also search for videos on iTunes University. Here's another example. I'm teaching probability in my math class. We all know that students learn at their own pace. Even the smartest student can have trouble with graphing functions. In order to move along with the majority of the class, I could provide students who are having trouble understanding probability with an iTunes University video "Learn Basic Math" to help them.

The disadvantage of iTunes University if that not all children have iPods. With the current economy, not all parents can afford an iPod. In addition, not all parents can afford a computer AND monthly Internet access fee.

Using iPods in Instruction

Most kids use iPods for music. However, iPods can be used for so much more!!! iPods can be a great study tool. For example, if a student didn't quite understand a portion of a lecture, they can fast-forward to that part and listen to it again for a better understanding. iPods can also be used with gathering additional materials to study.

According to an article I found at PrincipalPartnerships, iPods can aid special education students by the use of videos. Also, students who can't concentrate because of others around them talking can drown out the noise with an iPod.

iPods can also be used to "study on the go". We're all "on the go" these days. What better way to utilize the little spare time we have! For example, you can review course materials while working out or walking in-between classes.

In 2004, Duke University launched an iPod Pilot Program and distributed 1,400 iPods to all incoming Freshman. This lead to the development of Duke Digital Initiative (DDI), a website that provides resources for students. Students can also share material with other students. According to Apple Education, iPods enable students 24 hour / 7 days a week access to course material. Students can also "stay connected" through iTunes U.

Dr. Alice Christie's Website

Dr. Alice Christie was a K-12 teacher for twenty five years. She earned her PhD in Educational Technology and Language and Literacy from Arizona State University in 1995. In addition to her helpful website, she now conducts workshops nationally and internationally. Dr. Christie LOVES being an educator.

One aspect of her site is focused on GPS Technology and GeoCaching. GPS is a technology tool that's only been open for use by the public since May 1, 2000. Most people use a GPS to locate and map a destination, and track the estimated time of arrival. However, a GPS can be useful for so much more!

GeoCaching is a scavenger hunt. With a GPS, you can locate "treasures" - GeoCaching! In essence, students would learn how to use a GSP by GeoCaching. Students can have fun (via a scavenger hunt) while learning at the same time!

My ideal location within the school system would be a 6th grade math teacher. I would partner with my science or geography teacher for a group project because GPS and GeoCaching can be used for multiple subjects. Math to calculate distances and the time taken between them. Science or geography for studying the Earth.

We would hide several objects on campus. We'd give a (introductory and basic) lesson on how to use a GPS. Then, we'd announce the GeoCaching assignment and list the treasures hidden. Kids are naturally competitive, so we'd divide them into groups. We'd assist along the way because it's true -- we learn more by HANDS-ON vs. READING ABOUT IT.