iPod Poetry Lessons

I was really excited to find this piece on USA Today's site about how some teachers are beginning to embrace using technology as a teaching tool. The story talked about iPods, handhelds, educational games and blogging. I'm hoping this is the tip of the iceberg on this trend. BTW, I'm devoting a whole chapter to this in the book — so if you know of teachers doing this type of stuff, please send me their contact info. If you know of teachers who refuse to do this and have interesting arguments against it, send me their contact info, too. From the article:

"For three years, language arts teacher Larry Bloom has allowed students to bring in their CDs and cassettes when they study poetry. So it was only natural to let them bring in iPods and MP3 players when the technology became popular.

Students pick a favorite song with clean lyrics and use the lyrics to demonstrate poetry devices such as rhyme and alliteration. A student plugs the device into speakers and plays the song in class while the lyrics are projected on a screen. The student points out poetic devices.

'Normally, they are not allowed to use iPods at all in class, so this is a real novelty for them,' says Bloom, who teaches at Mountainside Middle School in Scottsdale, Ariz.

This year, about half the students brought in iPods. Bloom makes a CD and cassette player available for other students.

'I had a headache at the end of the week listening to some of their music,' Bloom says. 'But some other teachers have followed suit.'

The lesson is a hit with students such as eighth-grader Dallas Terrell. The 13-year-old carries his iPod to school with him but must keep it tucked inside his backpack during school hours. Using it for a class assignment has been fun.

'We can relate to music,' he says."

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