The Apple iPod Is A Great Learning And Resource
Tool As Well!
by: Katherine Xie
Using the iPod to gain knowledge quickly and effectively!
There is no doubt that the Apple iPod has become a common item amongst today's
youth as a great music player. But is the iPod more than just a music player?
In fact, the iPod is more than a music player. It is also a great teaching and
learning tool as well. And it is guaranteed to help you learn fast.
Audio Books
Besides music, the iPod also plays audio books. These are essentially books that
has been converted into a audio format and saved as a MP3 file. From a technical
angle, there is no difference in the file format between a music or a book and
you can download and play the same audio book off your computer or your iPod.
This opens you to a whole library of 'books' for your iPod. These can include
many great books found in public domains and downloaded for free. There are also
many good commercial 'books' that you can purchase for a small price. These
audio books are great as you can play them over and over again in the car, on
the train or even on the plane. It's a good way to kill time and gain knowledge
at the same time.
The best thing about audio books is that you do not need to read. Let the book
read to you and this can be a great enhancement for learning while driving or
while sitting in a shaky bus or train.
Podcasting
Have you also heard of podcasting? If you have not, these are simply audio files
published by individuals or companies covering interest topics ranging from
music, technology, current affairs, news, politics, cars, sales and marketing,
electronics, fashion to many other interesting niche areas.
They then put up these audio files in certain podcast stations on the internet.
Most podcast are free and you can download and treat them just like audio books.
Similarly, you can subscribe and organize these podcast on your computer iTunes
and then synchronize them to your iPod. It's also a great way to gain knowledge
while driving or taking transport to school or work.
What is gaining fast popularity today is video podcast. Video podcast are
essentially video files that can be downloaded and again, it covers a great
genre of subject. (As a matter of fact, I am learning about designing my own
podcast by watching a video podcast of this subject.)
However, you can only watch a video podcast on your computer or on the latest
iPod video model. All earlier models of iPod will not be capable of playing
video. With the iPod video, you can also output the video signal to a normal TV
and watch the entire podcast on TV as well.
What's more, you can watch them, stop them, rewind them or repeat these audio or
video podcasts as often as you like. What better way to learn?
So who says that iPods are meant for music only?
About The Author
Katherine Xie has 4 iPods starting from the 2G model. She runs a popular
website,
http://www.smart-ipod-ideas.com that gives tips on iPods as well as showcase
quality iPod accessories from Japan. Please feel free to distribute this article
as long as credit and reference is made to her website.