Mobile Learning
How to use an iPod

"With a podcatcher, the listener can subscribe to his or her favorite podcasts, which will then be downloaded automatically to the computer at a time of the listener’s choosing." (Campbell, 2005)

Overview

Introduction:

This workshop covers the fundamentals of Mobile Learning (m-Learning). It will give some examples of how m-Learning can be used in the classroom. Participants will learn how podcasting can be used in the classroom. Participants will also review the basic operating of an iPod and understand the techniques to search for podcasts with academically sound content. Participants need to have access to an iPod to participate in this workshop.

Information for completion:

This tutorial is to be completed independently.  Please launch the links to the online iPod tutorial.  After viewing the video tutorials, find someone to assess your skills listed on the iPod assessment.  Once you have demonstrated to that person that you have mastered these skills, send the assessment sheet to Sheri Stover.  This iPod assessment is available for faculty and staff at Wright State. 

MP3 Players

"A digital audio player (DAP) is a device that stores, organizes and plays digital music files. It is more commonly referred to as an MP3 player (because of the MP3 format's ubiquity), but DAPs often play many additional file formats. Some formats are proprietary, such as Windows Media Audio (WMA), and, to a degree, Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) and MP3." (Wikipedia)

  1. Apple iPod
     http://www.apple.com/itunes/ads/partyanimated/
    iPod shuffle iPod nano iPod
    iPod shuffle iPod nano iPod
  2. Microsoft Zune
     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CdnxR1fP2E

iPod Video Overview

"iPod is a brand of portable media players designed and marketed by Apple Inc. and launched in 2001. Devices in the iPod range are primarily digital music players, designed around a central click wheel — although the iPod shuffle has buttons only. The full-sized model stores media on an internal hard drive, while the smaller iPod nano and iPod shuffle use flash memory. Like many digital audio players, iPods can also serve as external data storage devices." (Wikipedia)

Top of iPod with hold switch, headphone port and iPod remote port. Image of iPod showing controls.
Bottom of iPod with Dock Connector.

iTunes Overview

"iTunes is a digital media player application, introduced by Apple Computer Inc. (now, Apple Inc.) on January 10, 2001 at Macworld Expo in San Francisco bfor playing and organizing digital music and video files. The program is also an interface to manage the contents on Apple's popular iPod digital media players. Additionally, iTunes can connect to the iTunes Store (formerly known as the iTunes Music Store, or iTMS) in order to download purchased digital music, music videos, television shows, iPod games and feature length films. iTunes has gained and maintained a reputation for being easy to use while still providing many features for obtaining, organizing, and playing media. It is available as a free download from Apple's website, is bundled with all Mac computers and some iPods and supplied with Mac OS X. It is also offered as part of Apple's iLife suite of multimedia applications. " (Wikipedia)

Labeled image of iTunes window.

iPod & iTunes Assessment

To complete the iPod module, you must demonstrate that you have mastered the skills listed below.  Find a partner and ask them to work with you to assess you on the skills listed in this assessment.  It is recommended to find someone else who would like to complete this iPod tutorial, so that can work together.  Have your assessor fill out the assessment sheet and send it the Sheri Stover in Wright State's Center for Teaching and Learning, Room 013 Dunbar Library.  (Link to assessment)

  1. Get started by downloading iTunes and/or updating iTunes to the latest version
     http://www.apple.com/ilife/tutorials/itunes/it1-1.html (Video = 1:31 min)
    • Be able to describe how to download iTunes to your computer for the first time.
      1. Go to http://itunes.com/ and click the Free Download button.
      2. Choose Mac OS X or Windows 2000/XP.
      3. Click the Download iTunes button.
      4. Windows 2000/XP: Run the iTunes Setup program, then follow the instructions to complete the installation. Open iTunes from Start > Programs > iTunes > iTunes.
      5. Mac OS X: Follow the instructions to complete the installation, then click the iTunes icon in your dock to open it.
    • Be able to demonstrate how to update iTunes to the latest version.
      1. Windows: Help/ Check for updates.
      2. Mac: iTunes/ Check for updates. 
    • Be able to create new iTunes account or access existing iTunes account.
  2. Downloading Music, Podcasts, Audiobooks & Video to your iPod
     http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/tutorials/index.html (Video = 3:54 min)
    • Be able to describe and demonstrate how to set up a new iTunes account.
    • Be able to demonstrate how to use iTunes
      1. How to import music from a CD
      2. How to purchase or subscribe
      3. How to create and rearrange playlists
    • Be able to demonstrate how to download to your iPod
      1. How to sync music to your iPod and how to eject your iPod.
      2. How to manually manage your music download.
      3. How to delete music and podcasts from your iTunes library.
      4. How to see how much space is left on your iPod. 
      5. How to sync iTunes with your podcasts and photos. 
  3. How to use your iPod to listen to your content
     http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/tutorials/play.html (Video = 5:18 min)
    • Be able to demonstrate how to move around the iPod menu
      1. How to turn your iPod off and on and use the hold button. 
      2. How to use your thumb to move around the wheel to move around the menu.
      3. How to press the Center button to choose an item.
    • Be able to demonstrate how to listen to your content
      1. How to navigate through the menu to find music and play it.
      2. How to use the Click Wheel to change the volume.
      3. How to skip to the next and previous song.
      4. How to go to the beginning of the song.
      5. How to shuffle songs to randomly rearrange the playing of your songs. 
      6. How to navigate through the menu bar to find music, an audiobook, a podcast, or a video.
    • Demonstrate ways to maximize your playback time
      1. How to turn iPod off.
      2. How and why you would use the hold switch.
      3. How to turn off the backlight.
  4. Beyond the basics
     http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/tutorials/beyondthebasics.html (Video = 3:55 min)
    • Be able to demonstrate how to do the following:
      1. How to backup your iTunes library.
      2. How to create inserts for your backup discs. 
      3. How to authorize your computer.
      4. How to transfer your iTunes purchase to another computer.
      5. Use your iPod as a hard drive
      6. How to transfer your iTunes library to another computer.
  5. Troubleshooting
     http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/tutorials/troubleshooting.html (Video = 1:52)
    • Be able to describe what your should do if your have problems with your iPod (Five Rs). 
    • Demonstrate how you find the iPod support web page.
    • How to find your iPod's serial number and how to copy it for an email. 

Class Supplemental Activities

1) Activity #1: Podcasting in Education

"Podcasting is a powerful tool that allows for communication and distribution of educational content — content that can be synced to iPod for learning on the go. Podcasting is also an inexpensive way for schools and higher education institutions to share information. Apple is the leader in podcasting, with a comprehensive yet easy-to-use solution. Please join Jason Ediger, senior marketing manager, Apple Education, along with his guests, as he explores podcasting and its benefits for education in this free, three-part video series. " (Apple Video Series)

  1. Apple Education Series: Podcasting in Education
     http://www.apple.com/education/resources/podcastingvideos/
    • Part 1: An Introduction to Podcasting
    • Part 2: Meeting Standards with Podcasting
    • Part 3: An Administrator's View on Podcasting

JiT Online Tutorials

  1. iPod
  2. iTunes
  3. iPod and iTunes Support