via The Strength of Weak Ties blog, on the debate (distraction vs. study tool) whether or not to allow iPods in the classroom:
Better yet, maybe they could find a way to use those electronic devices in instruction. For example, could kids sit in a study hall and learn Chinese if they had an iPod? Sure they could, with ChinesePod, which offers 515 Chinese lessons for the iPod.
While we are happy to make Chinese language instruction available to students who learn with the help of teachers in high school or university settings, to date our lesson review is designed more for the independent learner.
With the launch of our Practice Plan (also known as the 8 week program) we have been looking at changing this by adding lesson management tools to help our counselors better manage their students’ study. These tools currently include (a) a private blog to manage and archive communication between student and counselor and (b) the ability for a counselor to pre-populate a study schedule and then share it with their students.
We have brainstormed a number of tools to help support teachers of Chinese (student management, progress tracking, etc.) and flirted with some new ideas like integrating a Twitter-like service into the Connect section, but I would be curious to hear wish lists on how we could better integrate ChinesePod into the classroom.
Hank.
Hank,
An idea that I shared on Ken’s Why Learn Chinese post may also fit into the classroom. If Cpod could hook up with the publishers of many Chinese course curriculum and bid on the production of accompanying podcasts many doors would be opened. School may then purchase subscriptions from Cpod for access and/or publisher would have to give cpod a percentage if subscription is included with course work. This would also further advertisement for cpod. Students who want to learn then may in addition purchase a personal subscription from Cpod.
I also think Cpod could work with publishers of children and maybe even adult books. As a teacher and parent, having children sit with a book and listen to it read to them can be outstanding. These type of podcasts could also take over the books on tape market. Audible.com has this idea for English books already. I have yet to find one for Chinese. Cpod could further the attractiveness if the teachers can come up with a way to further the learning coupled with the podcast reading of the book. Cpod could have a series stretching from pre-reading material to adult level books.
(classrooms should have computers making iPods in the classroom unnecessary IF they create a learning hindrance rather than a learning tool.)
Wish I had the means of realizing this idea myself.
I’ve been waiting to hear back from Ken for a few weeks now on my proposal to use CPod as an adjunct in my classroom. I am now textbook-free at last and will be looking to incorporate various acquisition-friendly materials next school year. I can’t wait.
Hi Dai,
If you are not using a text book, what do the students use as study material? Have you developed your own materials for your classes? How do you integrate new materials into current program? Do you have goals for the students? I have heard your advocacy of TRP and TRP/S in the past. I would love to hear more about your approach to class room learning.