-
Jun 26, 2006 5:30 pm US/Central
-
Digg |
Facebook |
E-mail
|
Print
Dallas School Using iPods As Teaching Tools
by Steve Pickett
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
July may be fast approaching, but for students of Dallas' Bishop Dunne Catholic School, it may as well be October. School is in session.
A group of World History students are researching the basic tenets of Islam. Seventeen-year-old Luis Santoyo has an audio iPod player, complete with ear plugs, sitting at his side. He listens to his favorite downloaded music, while he scans the Internet for detailed information on the Muslim faith.
The classroom scene is a view of the school's fall setting, when new students will be issued video iPod's, right along with textbooks and locker combinations.
Bishop Dunne administrators will use the computer video technology gadget as a tool downloading class assignments, homework and lectures. Admissions Director Rich Mullin says, "This is the way kids communicate."
Students will be required to develop class presentations, download class assignments and create their own podcasts.
"The more exciting part is the ability to work in a multimedia setting for the teacher to assign multimedia presentations, that will supplement and bolster what (students) are already learning in class.", according to Mullin.
The school will offer approximately 150 free video iPod's to 9th grade students.
Administrators say they're using the iPod program as a recruitment tool as well. Bishop Dunne has placed advertisements in area newspapers, touting the video iPod as the latest technology tool for students.
Santoyo, the high school senior, will not receive a free iPod, and he questioned the effectiveness for students to use it in as an enhancement for their education. "I use mine for my music," he said.
The iPod offer is a pilot program for Bishop Dunne. The school has invested some $50,000 for the technology.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)