Apple Products Help Students Learn About Life

Last week I questioned whether the use of Apple computers in schools enhances education. I wrote the article after reading about schools switching from Macs to Windows. Some parents questioned the wisdom of spending the money to switch. If schools aren’t using the old technology to the fullest, how likely are they to take advantage of the new stuff?

When schools use computers mostly for information gathering and word processing, it would seem that there might be better uses for the money. Yet most parents would admit that it’s important for their kids to learn to use computers. The question becomes how to use computers effectively. Considering the cost of technology, they should be used for learning more than just basic computer skills.

Schools would do well to learn what some of the more innovative teachers are doing. There are talented teachers who know how to incorporate technology into lessons and help kids use it as a tool for learning. Teachers have always looked for ways to capture the attention and imagination of students. Computers and other technological tools are among the ways they capture it now.

Several weeks ago I wrote about podcast in schools as one way that teachers are using technology. To learn more, check out the Discovery Education Network. There you will see how podcast helps students at Longfellow Middle School in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Podcasting can be used to learn the information needed to meet the school district curriculum requirement and master state standards while teaching above and beyond required learning.

Since writing that article, Mrs. Jeanne Halderson and Mrs. Elizabeth Ramsay of Longfellow Middle School have taken podcast one step further. As I mentioned last week, they used Apple technology to teach students about people who have made a difference to the community and to bring those stories to their city.

The Road She Traveled was conceived when the teachers were searching for historical speeches on the internet. They had no difficulty finding significant speeches given by men, but found only two from women. Realizing that women have been important to the history of their community, they decided to have their students produce docudramas to showcase women who have made a difference.

Docudrama is not just another word for a podcast. A docudrama is a blend of melodrama and documentary formats. It is a nonfiction drama. The dramatic aspect captures the listener’s attention, while stringent research assures it is not a work of fiction.

Many would argue that just interviewing these women and writing about it would be enough. Students would still learn local history, as well as realizing that it is possible to take your passion and make a difference, but without the expense of computers and other technology. Certainly a number of people reading this (myself included) learned quite well without computers. Yet even for those of us who had no opportunity to use computers in our schools, teachers always tried to connect using whatever kids were interested in.

Kids are very interested in iPods and many of the tools on Apple computers. Students made use of GarageBand, iPhoto, iMovie, and iPods. They learned the importance of asking pertinent questions in interviews, of going beyond the obvious. They took a ton of information and condensed it to the most relevant.

In all learning, it is important to hold the attention of the audience. Students combined the spoken word with pictures and music to do this.

If we had completed a similar project when I was in school, it would likely have consisted of interviewing individuals, writing about it, and possibly reading our reports to the rest of the class. If there were any permanent records kept, the only way to have access would be to find the physical copy. Only those students with some talent at writing would be able to capture the interest of readers.

The Road She Traveled has the advantage of being available to anybody with a computer. Those who don’t have one will still have to travel to the local library or some other site where computers are available, but they don’t have to worry about getting there and waiting while somebody else finishes reading.

The docudramas were developed from interviews and from research each student conducted. A project like this forces students to pay attention to accuracy. Remember what it is like to be in seventh grade. Think of interviewing somebody important to your community and then writing a story that this person will be reading. You would want to be certain it is completely accurate.

Now add an international audience. Longfellow Middle School’s podcast has viewers from all over the world. Students want to look good in front of all these people, so they will work hard on their quality of speech, their words, the music, and the pictures. This isn’t just some private project where only the student and the teacher knows if it was any good.

On a broader note, it is very possible that students will find potential career interests that they would not be aware of any other way. Creating a podcast might show some students that they enjoy speaking, writing, being on camera, editing, or creating the full media experience. This type of education gives kids one more opportunity to figure out what they want to do someday.

The title of my article mentioned Apple products because Longfellow uses them. This doesn’t mean that Apple is the only way to teach effectively. I’m sure that teachers can find innovative ways to use Windows and other technology.

Then again, Apple makes it easier. I spoke briefly with Mrs. Halderson after The Road She Traveled was presented to the community. She said she has worked with Windows in the past. She finds the ease of Macs to be much better for developing this type of project.

I hope to interview the teachers involved in the project at a later date. Maybe they can shed more light on the use of Macs for education. In the meantime, I hope other schools can learn from this. No matter which OS you use, no matter what other technology your school has to offer, use it well.