Topic: Filling an iPod or MP3 player with free learning materials as a holiday gift
Format: Collection of links and info
Reviewer/email: Mike G – greers_pm@yahoo.com

Here’s an idea for a low-cost, high-value holiday gift: Instead of stuffing a stocking, get a bargain iPod or MP3 player and fill it with free learning challenges. Then you’ll be giving one of the most valuable gifts of all: the gift of helping someone learn something new and expand their world!

In this post, we show you how to find a good, low-cost MP3 player and how you can fill it with free learning challenges on just about any topic you can imagine.

How to Find a Good, Low-Cost MP3 Player (or iPod)

Given the tough economic times, prices are being slashed on MP3 players. And even the brand-name king, Apple’s iPod, can be found at competitive prices if you shop around.  Keep in mind that you don’t need the brand-name Apple iPod to enjoy audios and videos on a portable player. There are several other reputable brands that are solid, reliable choices. And most play standard MP3 and MP4 content as easily as the iPods. In fact, even Apple’s iTunes store (which you might expect to require Apple-only devices) will allow you to set up an account and sync that device to your account no matter who manufactures it.

Low cost MP3 players are showing up at many discount and overstock outlets. I’ve seen fairly full-featured devices advertised for as little as $20! But, of course, you get what you pay for. And if you want extra bells and whistles or a larger video screen, you’ll need to pay more. Below are some resources you should check to hep you shop for any MP3 player.

Now if you absolutely must have the brand-name Apple iPod, check out these resources:

Where to Find Great Free Learning Challenges to Stuff in that iPod or MP3 Player

After you’ve purchased your iPod or MP3 player, you’re ready to fill it with a bunch of great learning challenges. Here are some resources you might want to check:

  • 100 Free Podcasts from the Best Colleges in the World — http://oedb.org/library/beginning-online-learning/skip-the-tuition:-100-free-podcasts-from-the-best-colleges-in-the-world
  • iTunes – iTunes is the place to go for audio and video content on any topic imaginable. And remember, you don’t need to have an iPod to subscribe to iTunes. You can set up an account and download to any MP3 player.  There are thousands and thousands of free podcasts available from iTunes — even my own Inspired Project Teams podcast is available there, for free! In a quick search, I found podcasts available on such wide-ranging topics as particle physics, cooking, spiritual growth, auto repair, management, classic books, molecular biology, and computer programming. The famous (such as Oprah) and the not-so-famous (such as me!) are continually developing podcasts, posting them on iTunes, and sharing them — much of the time for free.
  • LearnOutLoud.com — Thousands and thousands of audios and videos and podcasts. Classical books, contemporary great thinkers & self-improvement. Much of it is entirely free!
  • TED Talks — “Riveting talks by remarkable people, free to the world.” Again… great stuff… challenging stuff… and all free!
  • LibriVox — “Acoustical liberation of books in the public domain.” This is a collection of great books, read and recorded by volunteers and professional actors.
  • Oprah’s Soul Series Webcasts — “Each week Oprah or guest hosts… sits down with leading spiritual thinkers, teachers and authors to talk about matters of the soul.” (Some of my favorite downloads.)

The above list represent a few of my favorite sources. But they are only the tip of the iceberg! See for yourself. Do your own Google Search for “Free Podcast: [insert your topic]” or “Free audio or video download: [insert your topic]” and you’ll be overwhelmed by choices. You’ll likely find more than enough to fill a media player and provide many hours of free learning challenges.

Remember – Audio and video downloads aren’t just about entertainment! There are thousands of informative, career-changing, and life-changing podcasts and media downloads out there that are absolutely free! So this year, give someone the gift of personal growth! Give them a stuffed MP3 player!

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