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  Further, in 2006 CA middle school teacher Blaisell commented that “forcing students to use outdated equipment and old technologies risks boredom and lower interest in schoolwork.”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.