Tips and tricks for the iPod Touch are needed to assist teachers in making the process easier when using this digital device for teaching and learning. As these digital devices become more widespread in classrooms, the need for more efficient use of these tools is coming to the forefront. This evolutionary course of action is resulting in more efficient and time saving strategies.
The purpose of these 10 tips and tricks is to provide teachers, both novice and experienced, with features and applications (apps) designed to make an iPod Touch’s functions easier to use. These features and apps offer the ability to customize this device to resolve management issues and integrate efficiently with other digital devices, such as a Mac laptop.
Software Programs: Apps Designed for Management and Integration
The following software programs are available through iTunes. These programs are designed for customizing the iPod Touch for classroom use.
iProtect – is a password protection application designed to keep students from inadvertently deleting any installed app on an iPod Touch. This safeguard is ideal for protecting core subject specific applications.
Keynote Remote – allows teachers and students to control Keynote presentations on a Mac from the iPod Touch. This is useful when it is necessary to interact with students in situations where the Mac is not conveniently located for teaching. Teachers can control their presentation from anywhere in the classroom. This feature is also helpful when a group of students are giving presentation.
A teacher or student can advance or return to a previous slide by swiping their fingers across the touch screen. When used in the portrait mode, presenter notes are viewable; in landscape mode, the next slide viewable on the iPod Touch.
Air Mouse Pro – this app turns the iPod Touch into a wireless remote for a Mac computer. Teachers can move from application to another with one finger, just as if they were using a laptop track pad or a mouse connected to the computer.
Short Cuts: Time Savers for Efficient Use of These Digital Devices
The following are tips and tricks which offer shortcuts for saving time and better management of iPod Touch’s functions.
Save Images – when wanting to save an image on a web page, tap and hold the image so it is highlighted. Now tap the “Save Image” button which appears and it is saved in saved photos. This is handy when using search tools to find Flickr images.
Web Clips – when viewing a web page on the home screen, press the “+” button on the bottom of the screen. This brings up another screen and selecting the “Add to Home Screen” button creates a thumbnail icon on the home screen of the iPod.
Web Site Extensions – the keyboard has a key which allows someone to automatically add “.com” to a typed in web address. If the web address ends with some other extension, pressing and holding this key offers the ability to select an .edu, .net, or .org extension.
Screen Shots – when viewing a web page on the home screen, press and hold the “Home” button and then press the “Sleep” button. The screen will flash and the image on screen is saved in saved photos. This tip offers the ability to save pictures for embedding in slide shows or documents. This is a handy for student projects or creating a podcast.
Move or Remove Icons – to move an icon, tap and hold it until it wiggles in place. Now move the icon with a finger to desired location on the screen. To remove a downloaded app icon, press the “x” attached to the icon.
Scrolling – instead of manually scrolling back to the top of a web page or document, a quick tap on the bar at the top of the screen returns to the top. One example is when using teacher created flash cards for the iPod Touch.
Saving Battery Life – to conserve the battery’s life, have it go to sleep after a specified period of time. This time is adjustable in the iPod’s clock and timer function. This is convenient when a student forgets to turn it off at the end of use or the device is not in use for the given period of time. The device comes back to life by touching the screen.
These top tips and tricks are designed to customize iPod Touch’s for more efficient use in teaching and learning in the classroom. One final bonus tip is to use a soft touch stylus for this digital device’s touch screen. This is especially helpful for students who have difficulty with pressing the correct button or selecting the correct letters when typing.
David R. Wetzel - Dr. David Wetzel's experience includes more than 25 years in continuing, adult, and teacher education.
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