A partnership for iPod pedagogy: Using the technology of millennial learners across educational contexts

Lisa Kervin, Doug Reid
Faculty of Education
University of Wollongong

Jeff Vardy, Carroll Hindle
Wollongong Diocese of Catholic Education

This paper explores collaboration between researchers at the tertiary level, with primary school teachers and their students as iPods are integrated into learning experiences. Embarking on this partnership, it is our aim to weave value-added, mutually beneficial and collaborative relationships into our on-going professional interactions as we work towards the development of a pedagogical framework to support classroom teachers in using iPods and podcasting in their educational settings. Such collaborative relationships have been promoted as a way to foster professional relationships, provide learning opportunities for educators, encourage change and develop common understanding across contexts.

Appropriate pedagogy and procedures to assist educators in the incorporation of this technology within their classroom context have begun to emerge through professional collaboration, observation of the students and interviews with both teachers and students. This study provides example for educators who collaborate with researchers to incorporate new technologies into their teaching. It also presents our experiences with team building and communication, which have proven valuable in the process of integrating iPods and podcasting into learning activities for children.

Keywords: iPod, pedagogy, implementation, mobile technology, primary education