Registration software for PDA

efd

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Registration software for PDA

« on: January 19, 2006, 09:36:44 PM »

Hi

Does anyone know of any UK software for keeping students' details, such as contact data and registration in lessons? I tried an American version, but it didn't really fit well with my needs.

Thanks,

Elizabeth


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thornuk

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Re: Registration software for PDA

« Reply #1 on: January 20, 2006, 08:09:03 PM »

I've looked at several, but keep coming back to the layout I have on Excel, which has the benefit that it transfers to the school's PCs without fuss. (That's until I have time to put together on Palm the database approach that I developed for PC about 20 years ago !).

You're welcome to a copy of it, if you'd like. The (now ancient) thread "As an educator what do you use a PDA for?" had an explanation of what is included on the sheet.

HTH


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Andy

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Re: Registration software for PDA

« Reply #2 on: January 22, 2006, 11:36:41 PM »

Hi,

This will start me off (again

)

I take the view that most registration type software will leave you wanting because it simply will not meet your needs. You'll finish up needing to adapt them for the type of things that you actually want recorded and what you'll want to create reports on. Therefore, you should be looking for another solution. I'm rather in favour of using a database such as Handbase to create these on, this is for many reasons, including, its much more flexible and you can use it outside a registration functionality. Normally people get very very very scared about databases (me included) but it is very simply to create tables and forms to collect the data, and then import it into Access or Excel, or other databases.

I think that this is a great opportunity for us the community to help each other out, and have in the past on this forum "gone on about" this being a real benefit of being part of something like this. For instance, if people started to develop Handbase templates they could share them, or help those new to handbase develop or tweak registers. And before you know it, for little money you are getting what you want.

So Elizabeth, before you either rush out and buy handbase, or completely ignore what I've been ranting about, it would be good if you just jotted down exactly what you need, the type of information you want to capture, and the type of reports you want generated. Then we can see if it's do-able via Handbase (or Excel), or someone else has an off the shelf solution (boo hiss boo).

If you (or others) want to know more about handbase then I've written some stuff my blog - http://www.mobile-learning.blog-city.com/read/mycurrentholygrail.htm - it was one of my previous holy grails ;-)


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Andy Ramsden
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University of Bath

thornuk

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Re: Registration software for PDA

« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2006, 07:03:35 AM »

WHilst I completely agree with Andy's comments, particularly about sharing good ideas / practice and in the context of using handhelds, I have been disappointed with all the database programs available for Palm (no experience of PPC).

Databases have the clear advantage that a chld cannot be in two groups at once, whereas on a spreadsheet they can. However, in the classroom I need a form that looks like a spreadhsset, so I can see their attendance (and other issues) in one swep of the class (patterns such as who is away with whom, how often and when may be more visible). No database program does this (that I have found so far, anyway).

Reviewing the mailings on the HanDbase forum suggests there is still a stability problem so far unresolved, which reflects the problems I had with it when I tried it previously.

Keeping looking ...!


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jont

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Re: Registration software for PDA

« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2006, 10:31:36 AM »

Hi All,

"Databases have the clear advantage that a chld cannot be in two groups at once, whereas on a spreadsheet they can."

Eh? Huh

? Can you clarify that?

By database do you mean "relational database". For non-relational , simple spreadsheet type arrangements I like JFile (www.land-j.com)
For relational handbase and ThinkDB are also popular.

(also can you eleborate on the instabilities)

there are som e comparisons of databases at
http://www.palmsource.com/interests/databases/

Keep us informed of your progress...

best wishes

Jon


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thornuk

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Re: Registration software for PDA

« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2006, 11:17:40 AM »

As there is no specific link between entries in the cells of one spreadsheet and another (unless you create such a link - simple enough for one or two, but to do it for all pupils in a school {perhaps} of 1500 = unrealistic, especially with an annual turnover of maybe 450), there is nothingto stop you (or the admin staff) putting a child's name on two parallel spreadsheets (eg: y9 set 2, and y9 set 3). We certainly have some pupils who try to avoid some lessons by turning up to others for which they are not allocate - the school's central pupil & timetable information system is best described as "shot through" but I'm not responsible for that !

I thought I'd shaken off spreadsheets for pupil registration & assessment records in 1984/5 when I switched them to a relational database (on the much under-rated Sinclair QL). The intervening 20 years have indeed produced the handheld computer, supercomputers, and "bloatware", but the database software still hasn't caught up with what I could do then. With the "day job" and refurbishment of our house as priorities, I haven't had time to learn the intricacies of SQL on the Palm platform, otherwise I might have cracked this one by now.

Also, I have experienced "programming" difficulties / irritations setting up, for example, a single registration form / report design that I wish to use on all classes, in that the form can't be replicated easily to other tables (classes). Furthermore, when presented with a form showing (for example) a class list, trying to enter a present mark on one pupil brings up that pupil's individual record, and replacing the whole-class view; where the entry of that one mark involves multiple keystrokes / stylus taps, this does not help a slick start to a lesson. These remarks apply also to MobileDB.

Instabilities:
Over the past few months, there have been many messages on handbase@yahoogroups.com relating problems with Hotsync'ing, that cause "Fatal Error" messages that require soft resets to reclaim the system, and many seem to relate to updates of HandBase, especially the 3.41 version. This mirrors my own experiences, albeit with earlier version 3.xx series, on my T3.

There may be a solution in Filemaker Pro, which I know is used by one of the most prestigious "public" (ie: private) schools in the UK (I know because I taught there for a while). This has a mobile version that marries perfectly into the PC/Mac version. But at approx £300 a shot ... I'd need a sponsor to develop on that !


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cardav

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Re: Registration software for PDA

« Reply #6 on: January 24, 2006, 11:01:46 AM »

The program that comes close to meeting my requirements is FlexiPad Pro.
DC


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Andy

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Re: Registration software for PDA

« Reply #7 on: January 24, 2006, 09:39:44 PM »

Quote from: cardav on January 24, 2006, 11:01:46 AM

The program that comes close to meeting my requirements is FlexiPad Pro.
DC

If you get a chance could you give a bit more info, what is FlexiPad? what does it let you do? can you add your own fields or is it all pre-set out of the box?

Thanks

Andy


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Andy Ramsden
Head of e-Learning
University of Bath

Petra

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Re: Registration software for PDA

« Reply #8 on: January 25, 2006, 11:29:07 PM »

Quote from: Andy on January 24, 2006, 09:39:44 PM

Quote from: cardav on January 24, 2006, 11:01:46 AM

The program that comes close to meeting my requirements is FlexiPad Pro.
DC

If you get a chance could you give a bit more info, what is FlexiPad? what does it let you do? can you add your own fields or is it all pre-set out of the box?

You can define almost all fields according to your needs. I've been using it for almost 3 years. All upgrades came free. You might be interested in further product information via handango: http://microsoft.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=75&sectionId=0&catalog=0&productType=2&platformId=1&productId=18851
You can test a demoversion. It shows all features, but it is restricted to 5 students/reports etc.
Get the demo at http://palm.itpro.at/artikel.php3?id=74&t=text2&lang=1
Within the zipped folder is an English Handbook in pdf format for the desktop as well as the handheld.
It's worth taking a close look.
Petra


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Graham

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Re: Registration software for PDA

« Reply #9 on: January 27, 2006, 12:24:49 PM »

Apple Computer owned FileMaker have released FileMaker Mobile 8 which allows the creation of cross-platform databases for Pocket PC and Palm OS devices that can interact with a desktop PC or central FileMaker server db. More info at:

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060124/sftu002.html?.v=38


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Benton

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Re: Registration software for PDA

« Reply #10 on: February 03, 2006, 12:02:20 AM »

I have just started finding out about using the hand held computer in the classroom. I am very interested in what software is out there for educators. Free is very good. I want to find some software that would help in the science classroom.
Benton Kiss