Oz Study Confirms iPods Boost Learning

[NightStorm]

[url=\"http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,139883/article.html?tk=nl_dnxnws\"]Source[/url]

Oz Study Confirms iPods Boost Learning
Evidence has emerged indicating that using technologies such as iPods and MacBooks boosts learning and attainment in schools.
Jonny Evans, Macworld
[color=\"#808080\"]Friday, November 23, 2007 02:00 PM PST[/color]

Yet more evidence has emerged indicating that using popular technologies such as iPods and MacBooks boosts learning and attainment in schools.

An Australian research project has found that teachers and pupils all drew benefit from use of these technologies in the classroom.

Research on the part of the Victorian Department of Education was conducted across six months at Heathmont College, using Apple solutions and the Studywiz managed learning environment.

According to teachers, half the students reported that they learned better by doing things and liked to be active learners.

"I'm more of a hands-on person -- I liked listening to podcasts and watching as well," one pupil said, according to a presentation explaining the results.

Among other improvements, the use of engaging technologies and switched-on learning resources is alleged to have improved pupil performance, test scores, had helped pupils remain focused on learning and had also boosted attainment among those who were socially isolated or suffered literacy problems.

According to the Victoria Department of Education, the scheme led to: "Improvements in all curriculum areas and also in behavior, motivation and responsibility by the end of the project."

Maths teacher Sally Bodo at Heathmont College was part of the iPod pilot project, and said that she believes it's essential teaching methods move with technology in order to keep children interested in learning.

[Josh]

The world is advancing in technology really fast and that might scare a lot of people, but it really doesn't scare me. I think we should really move a lot of our things into a technology dominated type of situation. Why should I go to school, take notes via handwriting and get maybe less than 50% of what the instructor said when I can just bring my laptop to school (I don't really have one.. I wish!) and take all my notes in a text editor? I can type as fast as someone talks so why should I limit the amount of notes I get because I can't write as fast as someone talks?

I'm sure that makes some sort of sense lol... I hope it does. [/ramble]

[Electrix]

Just had a federal election here yesterday, and got a new Government. The new Prime Minister has a plan to lay Fiber in 98% of the country to get 100mbps. He also plans to have desktop computers in every classroom for every Year 9-12 student in the country. Wishful thinking if you ask me. I don't see either of those happening for the next 5 years or so.

[NightStorm]

He's likely laying out the setup for a re-election when the time comes. The thing to focus on at this point, Electrix, is that he at least views technology as a good thing and is working towards bringing it to all of "his" people. This is something that a lot of Government Officials are sadly lacking (evidenced by local council here in town classifying any business with computers that contain games as an arcade, and therefore are not permitted).