Handheld Instructional Technology

Hand Held Tech

In looking at what I thought I knew about palms before I walked into class and what I have seen so far, I realize I didn't have a clue.  I thought they were great tools for organization: phone book, addresses, lists, calendar, etc.  I didn't know you could get software (some even free), beam to other palms and syn them to your computer.  They could be a powerful tool for the classroom.  Students are motivated to use handheld devices and are very comfortable with them.  I would love to get them into the hands of my special education students.  We could use them for the basic things like helping the students be organized and remember things, spelling tests, the calculator and the use of appropriate software.

W. Nichols

Digital Scout Software

With Digital Scout's single-entry             software system, you can:             

1. Collect sports statistics, track performances,                 and analyze opponents at the game or from film on your Palm®                 OS handheld computer.                 (Note: Some products now available for Pocket PC and also offer data entry on a Windows laptop or PC.)              
2. Print detailed reports from your Windows®                 desktop or laptop.             

            

• Easy to use, point and touch              
• Instant screen summaries at the game              
• Press-ready printed reports at the push of                 a button              
• Single-game, season, and career analysis              
• Real time-saver and great coaching tool              
• Handheld and desktop software included                             

Compare and contrast view on Handhelds

I was not comfortable with a Palm when I came in the first day of class, because I never use a Palm before. I was kind of afraid of it which was new technology to me.

Now, I’m getting used it after using a Palm everyday. I am surprised that a Palm has so many functions. It will change a lot of things for you if you have it.

We tried to Participate software today. This software is a helpful tool for teachers. It will make teacher’s job a lot easier and save time, too.

Young Mi Kim-Henderon

A New View on Using Palms in the Classroom

When I enrolled in the handheld technologies class, I thought the class would be a lecture class using a variety of the new, latest, greatest, small pieces of hardware available.  The first day of class I learned that it would be a class using handheld technology – The Palm.  At that point, I thought how in the world can we spend three-weeks learning to use this “little” piece of equipment.  Little to my surprise, my outlook on that “little” piece of equipment has changed.  That “little” piece of equipment is a very powerful tool that will enhance the way an instructor conducts his or her class.  It will take a little bit of time for the initial set-up of the programs, but in the long-run, it will save a tremendous amount of time.  Today, I have a new view of using handheld technologies in the classroom.  I believe it is a new opportunity for instructors to change their learning and teaching process. 

EVERY SCHOOL SHOULD HAVE THEM!

Debby  E.

Knowledge of Handheld Technology

Considering that I was holding the Palm upside down when I came into class, I feel that I have learned a lot.  It is still mind boggling to think of all of the things that you can do with Palm technology from playing games to organizing class grades and scheduling.  Beaming information from one person to another is so fun.  I am anxious to learn more about the possibilities that handheld technology offers and to become more efficient in its usage.

Nancy Grace

Handhelds then and now

I had always thought it would be neat to know about palm technology and its use, both in my personal life and in my career as an educator.  I have admired the younger people that I have come in contact with who seem to use palms so proficiently.  Before this course I had not had the opportunity to ever try a palm.  I was somewhat intimidated and was not even sure where the "ON" button was.  Having a palm pilot put into my hands the first day and helping me get the power turned on and use the basic features of it, helped me to understand a little better how using this technology is similar to the technology I already use and understand.  Besides the datebook feature and Office software, I believe I would use the Participate Software introduced today and GradeQuick.  For me it will be slower at first to set up, but I think it will be time invested well.

Kelly Wurst

Compare/contrast of Personal Views About Handheld Computers

By Adam Coats

Now that I have been using a Palm for about a week, I feel slightly different about purchasing and using one in my own class.  Before, I saw it (the Palm) as more of an organizational/administrative piece of hardware.  However, after using them in this class, I now can see that they can be used in by students of any age, in classes across the curriculum.  After watching a few videos of students in different schools actively using handhelds, I feel that this technology would be useful, beneficial, and enjoyable in my own classroom.  My band students would benefit greatly from tutoring programs like Mozart.  With regards to my usage as a teacher, I could use Participation as an instant "playing test" grading program.  If I were to get a bar code reader for the Palm, I could quickly inventory pieces of music in our library, CDs, uniforms, and instrument inventory. 

For this class, I am using one of the Palms from the classroom set.  This will get me through the class, but what will I do when the class is over?  Hopefully, I will have one of my own in the near future.  I think that if I were to demonstrate some of the possibilities of teaching with a Palm to my principal, I may be able to get a classroom set for the school, so that I could start using them in my everyday teaching.

A New View On Handhelds

When signing up for this class I was under the impression I would learn more about keeping me organized.  I envisioned having an address book and appointment calendar that were state of the art.  I have found that this can be accomplished easily using a palm.  What I did not realize were all the practical applications you can utilize with a palm both personally, professionally and with your lesson planning.

We have seen many varied lessons with students of all ages involving science, math, literacy, etc.  Each time the students were totally engaged and enthused.  I would have never dreamed of so many applications using this one piece of technology.  Attaching the folding keyboards either for yourself or your students allows you to place a computer in the hands of every child at a very nominal price. 

The amount of software available seems to be never ending.  There is software for every thing you can imagine.  The prices seem to be reasonable for every program we have looked at.

To sum it up, my eyes have been opened wide to a great resource I knew nothing about.

Rhonda

A New Attitude

     When I enrolled in this class I thought it would be information about all of the new hand held technologies that are available.  Example of this would be the notebook-tablet, palms, and maybe even graphing calculators.  I found out that it would be just palm pilots and I was trying to imagine what about them would take three weeks with three hours a day for us to learn.  Basically I thought we would be doing a lot of busy work to fill the hours.

     After being in the class for only three days I am wondering how we will learn all of the features of a palm.  I have had a complete turn around of thought on the uses of a palm pilot.

Ella Collins

My Personal Views of Today's Class

Well, when I started class this morning, I was still wondering how I could integrate using handhelds into my band classroom.  I found very quickly that the "participate" program would work wonderfully in my beginner class.  I can use it to assess students during their playing tests and keep an accurate listing of mistakes for each student.  This list can then be hot sync'd to my computer and be printed to be put into my gradebook as well as being downloaded to GradeQuick and EdLine.

It would take a little bit of time to set up the program, but the time it would save in the classroom would be more than minimal.  I could see myself actually using this in the classroom and sharing with my fellow music teachers to help keep accurate scoring of playing tests.  One of the hardest things to do when assessing numerous (50+) students at a given time is to keep accurate and consistent records.  This program would allow me as a teacher to better serve my students by being more accruate and consistent.

BC