MP3 Players: Applications and Implications for the Use of Popular Technology in Secondary Schools
2007; Project Innovation Austin; Volume: 128; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
0013-1172
Autores Tópico(s)Digital Games and Media
ResumoWithin the rapidly expanding technology marketplace, MP3 players are widely used by teens and young adults as a medium for entertainment (Lenhart, Rainie & Lewis, 2001). Users, generally those between the ages of 8 and 18, spend approximately 6.4 hours per day, or 44 hours per week using multimedia (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2005). As adolescents and young adults are using entertainment technology with increasing frequency, it seems appropriate for educators to explore ways to utilize this new form of e-technology in the classroom. Gee (2003) offers some compelling reasons for why such inquiries may be advisable. He suggests that technology needs to be recognized as a form of literacy, and that technology-based pedagogies may be more effective than traditional teacher-centered pedagogies. Tapscott (1998) asserts that the needs of the N-Gen (Internet Generation) are such that teachers need to integrate interactive forms of technology into their pedagogical repertoires. In an attempt to better understand an emerging form of technology that may meet the needs of the N-Gen; this article explores how MP3 players can be used as educational tools in secondary classrooms. This article describes how MP3 players were used by local high teachers to examine the potential for classroom applications of this new technology. Why MP3 Players? MP3 players are becoming extraordinarily popular. IT Facts (2004) estimates that 46.8 million units were sold in 2004. This number is projected to increase to 132 million units by 2009 (EE Times, 2005). Beyond the ubiquitous Apple iPod, several different makes of MP3 players are currently available. Popular manufacturers include Apple, iRiver, Sony, Rio, Dell, Zen, Samsung, Creative Labs, Panasonic, Archos, and RCA. Basic players range in price from under $100 to more than $399 with sophisticated home stereo systems starting at $800 (Gowan, 2005; In iPod America, 2005). The new iPod Shuffle sells for $99 and links users to Apple's profitable iTunes site where songs can be downloaded for $.99 each. Music providers and accessory manufacturers abound, as each tries to serve the needs of the owners of the more than 50 million MP3 appliances sold to date. MP3 players have become multi-functional, multimedia products that allow users to play electronic games, watch music videos and movies, and view digital photographs and other images (Mobile Magazine, 2006; PhysOrg.com, 2005). Problem Statement A Compelling Interest Given the technological opportunities that MP3 players may offer, coupled with the broad current usage of this device among adolescents and young adults, an examination of classroom applications is of compelling interest. Settlage, Odom and Pedersen (2004) indicate that in an assessment of technology acumen among teachers, knowledge about MP3 players was lowest. Paradoxically, given the extent to which this media has been embraced by youth and adolescents-are teachers and teacher educators missing opportunities to use MP3 players in the classroom? Other potential questions included: (a) what can MP3s do well and what are their limitations? (b) what recommendations do teachers have with regard to the potential for MP3 use? (c) what curriculum extensions might MP3s appropriately lend themselves to? Exploring the Questions With an overall objective of exploring potential classroom applications for MP3 technology, three subsequent objectives are as follows: ascertain the extent of the current body of literature relevant to MP3 classroom use and educational applications; query secondary teachers with regard to potential uses of MP3 technology within the curricula; and assemble recommendations on the use and further exploration of MP3 players among participants and the researcher-practitioner community. These objectives are explored below as they relate to a literature search, an exploratory field test of MP3 players, and a discussion of outcomes and implications. …
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