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Session 4: Hardware Part I, Handheld Tools

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Session 4: Hardware Part I, Handheld Tools

PDAs, or Personal Digital Assistants, were originally created under the Apple Computer CEO, John Sculley, in 1992.  The initial intention of these devices was to serve as personal organizers.   Currently, PDA uses are notorious and include features such as: web surfing, sending/receiving emails, GPS, word processing, and various other tasks.  Most PDAs have audio and video capabilities and may include portable keyboards.  Undoubtedly, the most significant convenience that the PDAs have introduced is its compact style and convenient touch screen.  The touch screen is operated using a stylus, which is a pen-like apparatus that detaches from the side of the device; the stylus serves the same purpose as the mouse of a PC.  The stylus is used for word and letter recognition by the virtual keyboard.  This virtual keyboard lets the user write on the screen in specified fields, and the writing is then translated to typed characters.  Additionally, the device has the ability to synchronize with PC operating systems, which means the PDA can be kept up to date and the amount of time spent putting data in is reduced.  Since data input is normally easier to translate on a bigger screen, having the ability to just ?Hotsync? the data to a PDA is a time-saver and convenient option for on the go tasks. 

I will begin by saying that the support of handheld computers in the classroom has increased tremendously just within the past ten years.  According to the Palm Education Pioneers Program, 90% of teachers stated that handhelds are effective instructional tools and 85% stated handheld computers could improve the quality of learning activities[1].  First, finding something that has a universal improvement is an obstacle where I teach, thus providing a tool that has supporting evidence of educational enhancement across the globe (like handheld computers), will be worth seeking the resources for in my classroom.  Finding the funding, support, and cooperation of new ideas is a difficult task that educators often face.  However, the handheld era looks promising.  Though there were drawbacks that were reported by these teachers at the beginning of the PEP Program, much of them were due to being novice as an operator.  So, to integrate such a tool in the classroom, I would say teachers and students would have to complete training modules about how to use the handheld device.

I think integrating this tool in middle and high school keyboarding classrooms would be phenomenal.  Overall, I would say the PDA is a more convenient tool than the tablet because it can fit in most pockets and students will be given a sense of responsibility while keeping up with the small devices.  As Pete Just suggested in his article, integrating handheld computers that could be issued to the student would bridge the gap between students whom have computers in their home, which means they are able to practice their skills, and those who only have access to computers at school[2].  Bridging this gap would significantly improve the learning curve in my classroom.  As with any class, keyboarding practice has to be done outside the classroom.  I think the integration of PDAs in the school system should be a global initiative for all subjects of learning.

Posted at 09:54PM Nov 06, 2006 by dwdixon in General  |  Comments[0]