Today some schools not only allow children to bring in mp3 players (a device that stores and plays back music files), but actually encourage their use.  This does not mean that students are to sit
at the school desk and listen to the latest pop music while ignoring the teacher.  But what it does mean is that they can be used as an educational aid.  According to Pew Internet 2009 research, 79% of children aged 12-17 own an mp3 player.

This mini portable hard drive (which is basically what an mp3 player is), can give students the capacity to assemble substantial amounts of digital music/files which means they don’t have to carry so many papers.  Further, in 2006 CA middle school teacher Blaisell commented that “forcing students to use outdated equipment and old technologies risks boredom and lower interest in schoolwork.”

So if students are not just going to be using their mp3s to enjoy their own music, how can they be positively used in the classroom?  One way is by teaching them to make their own podcast (aka an iPod broadcast).  Once it is put on iTunes, others can benefit from it by subscribing.  They can also be moved onto one’s own mp3 player and listened to when convenient.

Learning to create and benefit from a podcast is very important for advancing today, in the world of technology.

New in the gamut of technological educational tools available today are document cameras.  They offer a way for educators to show their students different methods of examining various objects.  This is great for science projects too which can often be challenging for the student that lacks interest in the subject.  The problem is, they are not cheap and thus there can be an issue of theft between students.  That is why it is most advisable for the school children to keep them in secure school lockers.  Thus camera owners can be sure they will not be stolen.

Document cameras are also great for teachers to use to share 3D objects, maps, and other living objects (such as small animals, etc.).  Students are able to benefit from them by interacting with them.  When students learn interactively, they are more likely to integrate it into their subconscious, thus learning about it more easily and deeply.

There are many uses for document cameras at school.  The list includes: explaining a complicated scientific experiment, show and tell, sharing student work, demonstrative use of GPS or other gadget, modeling a process, etc.