Handheld Learning - learning with mobile and ubiquitous technologies

Have two small projects funded by the University of Bristol and the TTA - both looking at the use of PDAs by student teachers to support them both in their learning for the course and while they are teaching on teaching practice.

2 thoughts

1- internet access is key - this means money. Cost for an internet connected smartphone or pda multiplied by number of pupils in a class is v.high - need sponsorship from a seriously big player - have those running smallscale studies time to seek sponsorship?

2-ownership: for success pda needs to be seen to 'owned' by the user- enables customisation, use as personal organiser etc - this is not possible is using the 'class set'

ie. unless we can persuade a manufacturer to give pda away in class sets and pay for wireless network or mobile phone connectivity we will have to wait for large scale studies until all kids have pdas in the same way they now have phones.