Never mind the technology, where’s the learning?

If you’re 20 to 25, you’ll remember Podd; that great BBC B program that you might have used when you were first introduced to computers at school. If you’re over 40 you might well remember introducing Podd to your pupils. Full marks for Indigo Learning, who a few years ago released the program again. The learner types in a word and Podd attempts to do the action. He can swim, jump, sing and even ‘pop’. The whole idea is that learners explore words by experimenting and finding out what Podd could do. Think of a word and see if Podd can do it.

The next generation is however upon us, in the form of a WiFi, internet-enabled bunny, Nabaztag - a sort of ‘iPodd’, if you can excuse the pun. Nabaztag is termed the ’smart rabbit’. Having purchased your bunny (a 23 cm tall plastic bunny, that looks a bit like Miffy) you place him on your wireless network with broadband connection, and register his name on an internet site. You or your friends can send your bunny everything from simple messages to email and mp3 files. It will read a blog from a RSS feed and if you move your rabbit’s ears the movement is emulated on your friend’s rabbit. If you’re really clever you can create ‘Nabcast’ channels and broadcast them to other rabbits.

I can see interesting possibilities for these communicating bunnies. Imagine how two reception classes might communicate with each other through this engaging technology? But surely bunnies are only the beginning? What other objects, both real and imaginary could we connect to the internet to make learning more engaging and interactive for learners?

Nabaztag cost £64 inc VAT, and can be bought on the web here.