iTunes Virtual Field Trips

Open new worlds of knowledge by going to iTunes Virtual Field Trips. There, you’ll find “trips” to museums, historic sites, historic site apps, National Parks, National Parks apps, Libraries, Library apps, Performing Arts, and Performing Arts apps. There are Mummy Chamber videos from the Brooklyn Museum, Musee du Louvre HD app ($2.99), Beyond New York Sight (audio, Manhattan), Garden Grounds New York Botanical Garden (free, audio/video), Guggenheim app (free), Smithsonian Mobile app (free), National Parks by National Geographic app (free), Treasures of the New York Public Library (audio), Today’s Document from the National Archives app (free), MoMA Audio: Kids (free), A Jazzy Day: Music Education Book for Kids app ($4.99), and much more. By the way, A Jazzy Day has garnered great reviews.

How Loud Is Too Loud?

In an online survey, Califone’s Media Blog, asked participants if they agree with this statement: “since younger students haven’t yet learned what too loud is when using personal audio equipment, technology should help prevent student hearing loss.” Eighty-four percent of respondents either answered “Strongly Agree” (58%) or “Somewhat Agree” (26%) making it clear that teachers believe young students don’t realize that loud sounds can damage their hearing and that audio equipment that can control volume is important. Young children, used to loud sound at movie theaters and on digital devices used by older children, think that’s the way sound should be. With teen hearing loss increasing, Califone, which markets volume-restricting devices, is working with ASHA (American Speech Language Hearing Association) on the Listen to Your Buds safe sound campaign. You might want to introduce your students’ parents to this campaign and have them take the pledge to save their children’s hearing.