photo credit: Johan Larsson

High Point Elementary in Clearwater (Florida) has begun to hand out iPod Touches containing “30 to 40 math applications and math songs” to help some of their lowest performing students. The Clearwater Beacon has some interesting information about the funding for this program, how the program has been implemented, and some of the logistical steps the school has taken.

iPod may help students with math: Clearwater Beacon – Tampa Bay Newspapers:

“The school is part of the district’s decentralized decision making pilot program, which means it is allowed to use its yearly allotted funds in more flexible ways, Walters said. Each year, she said, the school gets about $8,000 that in the past was to be used to pay tutors for extended learning programs. This year, the school’s core team brainstormed about how to connect kids to learning in a more engaging way, Walters said. They decided to create an iPod lab.”

(Via Tampa Bay Newspapers)

The school is using the $8,000 to help pay for the iPods.

How do they manage student iPod Touch use?

There are fundamental questions for schools looking to purchase and use iPod Touch devices. Student access and device management are key concerns. High Point Elementary uses logs to monitor and track student use.

“The kids take the iPods home on Mondays and turn them back in on Friday mornings for synching, updating and for safe keeping. The kids, third- through fifth-graders, are responsible for keeping a log that documents which applications they used and for how long each night.”

Students logging their iPod Touch use reminds me of the reading logs students often keep in the primary grades. Logging iPod Touch use seems reasonable (even if it is an analog solution) and I wonder what teachers at High Point Elementary are finding when students bring their logs back in. What type of applications do they use the most? How long are they using them? Is it helping them understand new concepts or reinforce skills?

First in the nation?

The article mentions that High Point Elementary is one of the first schools in their county to have this program and possibly one of the first in the “country” to allow the iPods to go home with their students.

I have personally heard of regular school issued iPods going home but I have not heard of iPod Touches going home with students in elementary schools. If you teach in a school where this happens please share in the comments. I would love to learn more!

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