Handhelds

Handhelds---usually in the form of PDA?s or Palm Pilots are making their way into the classroom. It makes sense in that they are cheaper than traditional workstations stations and much more mobile. These two features allow a school or classroom to come close to the optimum 1:1 ratio of tool to student and allow the student to have access to the tool at home. In addition, the handhelds do not take up as much physical space in the classroom as a traditional workstation and as Baumbach noted, the students are comfortable using the technology which is learned very quickly. Problems with the handhelds include theft and damage because of their size and the need for organized syncing.

Handhelds can be used in a variety of classroom applications from language arts to science and math. Several of the readings indicated, however, for the need to purchase a keyboard for writing applications.  Up until now, I had only heard of handhelds being used by the teacher for assessment and could sort of imagine how it could be used for Math and Science. However, I was generally amazed with the number of software applications for language arts---most of which I had not heard of---such as FreeWrite, FlingIt, eReader, ThoughtManager and eBook---to name a few. I liked the lesson plan described in the Buambach article where the students write an ?autobugography.? The descriptions in the article helped me to see how the handheld can be used in all phases of the writing process from brainstorming to researching to the actual writing and presenting.

Geocaching using GPS is another way to use handhelds as a tool to integrate the curriculum. Geocaching is sort of like a scavenger hunt where a person hides a cache (item(s) usually in a waterproof container) and then posts the coordinates on a geocaching website for others to find. In the article, Hide and Seek, the author lists several examples as to how this activity can be used in instruction. I really liked the idea of geocaching to create a ?historically based multi-site goecache that focuses on the community.? What an interactive and creative way for students to learn about their community?s history. I also liked the idea of the ?Travel Bug.? The Travel Bug is placed in a cache for others to find. Each time a person finds the bug and moves it to another cache, the information is posted on a web site. I can think of all sorts of writing, research  and math activities that could be spin-offs from this idea.

I was skeptical at first about the instructional uses of handhelds in the classroom. The readings and the session introduction really helped me to see its viability in the classroom. I worked in a school building that was built in 1923 and the classrooms were very small. Even in the classes where we had the optimum of 5 workstations for 25 students, we were very cramped. I can see how the handhelds would allow access for all students at the same time, which can make instruction easier and free up space for small group work. However, I still have some reservations?Even after reading the Buambach article, I still think that older students would find the handhelds awkward to use for lengthy papers. I can see its potential for brainstorming and organizing the information, but I think that it would be hard to use for the 2-3 page writings that are expected of them.

Posted at 03:46PM Jun 15, 2006 by LEOUSIS, REBECCA in General  |  Comments[0]