I get to use an iPod in school? Using technology-based advance organizers to support the academic success of English Learners

By: Elsa Billings & Carla Mathison

The Study

Using iPods to increase engagement and student achievementCamp at California MuseumSpread out over several weeksActivities that connected to state standards240 fourth grade students

Split into two groupsStudents took a Pre-Assessment

Group One

Before the activities:Students watched videos as a classVideos frontloaded vocabulary and important information for the activitiesVideos were in English

Group One

After the activities:Students watched videos as a classVideos reviewed the activities and main informationVideos reviewed main vocabularyVideos were in English

Group Two

Before the activities:Students were given their own iPodsStudents watched podcasts on their iPodsPodcasts frontloaded vocabulary and important information in the activitiesPodcasts were in English and Spanish

Group Two

After the activities:Students watched Podcast videos Videos reviewed important informationVideos reviewed main vocabularyVideos were in English and Spanish

Findings

Students took a Post-AssessmentStudents in group two performed betterStudents in group two were more engagedStudents in group two were more excited about the activities