A method for creating interactive content for the iPod, and its potential use as a learning tool: Technical Advances

The development of interactive material for an iPod is described in detail. This material was developed and demonstrated to 50 medical students. These students completed a paper-based survey on the potential uses of this technology, before and after a 20 minute presentation in class of an interactive case-study on an iPod.A technical description of how to develop interactive content for the iPod was created. The results of the student survey indicate a favourable shift in student attitudes after viewing the interactive case. Despite only 15% of the students owning an iPod, 57% of the students were positive about having access to interactive iPod content and 59% believed they would use it whilst travelling. The percentage of students who felt podcasting was a useful means of learning increased from 9% to 41%.The development of interactive content for the iPod is feasible. There are indications that students view interactive iPod cases as having value as an additional learning resource.The arrival of new technology, particularly in the entertainment field, is often followed by efforts to leverage this technology for educational purposes. The introduction of records, radio, audio tape, video tape, CDs and laserdiscs have all been followed by educationalists taking up each of these tools and using them for their students' benefit [1-6]. The introduction of mp3 players, such as Apple's iPod, is proving to be no exception. Educational podcasts, which are audio recordings of items such as lectures, interviews and book readings are increasing in number [7,8], and currently make up about 7% of the total number of podcasts available for downloading. The sheer volume of material produced for the educational arena continues apace.In the majority of cases, a podcast is essentially a passive learning experience focused on an audio facility alone. The video equivalent, the vodcast (video podcast), uses additional media and is therefore likely to be more versatile and of interest t