Handheld Learning - learning with mobile and ubiquitous technologies

I wonder if Mr. Gates would be willing to donate some money to schools to make this a reality.  How do we convince administration of the benefits of PDAs in school?  We still have traditional ideas controlling what goes on, what is purchased.

After our Open House the other night and explainiing the benefits of Palms in our classroom (and experiencing the reactions of the parents), I am thinking about the impact of having students and Palm-savvy teachers putting on an "Open House" of a different kind.  Getting people (parents, school board members, administration) to understand the benefits of various technological tools in the classroom is an important aspect in gaining 1:1 ratio of student and technology.  Any other suggestions?

Teach534

I do apologize for not responding to the discussions that followed my posting.  This portion of the forum must have been obscured.  No excuses, though. 

Concerning probes for data collection, Pasco makes some but Vernier makes them as well.  We use a motion sensor to gather information on speed during our physics unit as well as a volt meter for our energy unit.  There are also temperature probes and Ph testers that are put to use during various other units of study. 

Our class has experienced a simulated stock market crash and the children use their palms in a variety of ways.  They figure loan payments on property (using a loan calculation program) and also learn to make market decisions with a neat program called "Stock Trader."  The palms are used to journal their experience (a typical use), but they also buy items for daily consumption at the grocery store (and find the costs) with a program called "Palm Basket."  The technology is sophisticated enough that they may even be able to scan in items and get accurate prices from their local grocery store.  Spreadsheets help them keep track of their "money" as they buy and sell in our simulated economic world.

We just did a space exploration simulation where they were conjecturing whether we could live on other planets.  They found some really incredible programs that helped them as they explored the night sky and the planets.  Star Pilot, Planetarium, Sol System and Planets all brought the universe into view.    Night Sky lists and shows the constellations and gives detail about placement.  While many of these programs deal with stars, the students learned the difference between planets and stars and made great connections to what humans need in order to survive.

Just a few ideas...

So sorry about your name, Thornuk.  An oversight on my part.

You use the pda for administrative paperwork, it sounds like.  I could not do a proper assessment without my pda.  I love the information I am able to gather and organize with Learner Profile.  (Some of us had been chatting about the use of assessment tools in the classroom...I kind of got left out of the loop as they were trying to develop a tool using Excel).  I am not proficient in the terminology or the hardware piece, but I am in application.  My students are the ones who really utilize their pda's.  We are very fortunate to have a classroom set, although the number in the set is dwindling with age.  That is a real concern as our administration doesn't really see the value of pda's.  Replacing them is difficult.  Where is a teacher to get the funds to replenish or up--grade her supply?  I see this as a major obstacle right now.  Any suggestions?

Teach534

Thorak,

I think it is interesting that there is not a lot of sharing. It is difficult to maintain dialog in this type of forum as the replies are sporadic. It is also difficult, at times, to prepare a verbal conceptualization of what I'm doing with Palms.  I don't know if others have that same difficulty, but that is something I have struggled with in regards to net-sharing.

How are you using palms/mobile technology in your setting?

Teach534

Jeanna,

I enjoyed hearing what you do with your palms.  Are there other ways that palms or other technology help you learn?  Are there ways that YOU would use the palm if you could design lessons?  Can you think of any programs that might help you learn?

Curious

Tony,

I believe it is important to "turn kids loose" with the technology. I like to set up simulations that allow technology to co-exist with other resources the students have at their disposal. At times you need to remind them of the possibilities they have at their fingertips, but it doesn't take long for them to get to the point where the technology becomes an integral part of their learning experience. . . photography, video projects, research, presentations, using Palm probes for data collection . . . ways that showcase their use of technology. Are you looking for specific scenarios or just the management behind the projects?

Teach534

     Dear PeterB,
        We are indeed 10-12. I myself am 11. The technology is actually fun at the same time and we enjoy it alot. It is much more interesting and we remember more of what we learned if it was on palms (not that we don't learn without them) and I'm sure our teachers love that. We always are very careful with the palms. Always two hands while holding them, don't press too hard on the screens (e.c.t) it's really something we just know to do.  It is a faster way to learn, we make  some mistakes and we indeed learn from them. Our teacher has alot of trust in us, we appreciate it alot. We have become independent learners with our palms and they help. We are very trustworthy with her about everything. Hey, when you were a teacher did you have palms? What type of technology did you use in your classroom? I like the technology in our room it's very handy alot of times. Well it's three o'clock I better go pack up. Have a nice day.
                                                            Stundent of Teach534                     

PeterB,

Thank you for replying to my students.  I am adding a narrative about the way we had to have students engage in some dialog in this forum.  I was unable to allow students to log on as they had to supply their personal information.  We have some very strict rules about children on the internet (as you well know) and I had to log them into the forum with my information.  I am sure each student will be excited that they have been heard and will respond asap.  Thank you for considering their perspective as we engage in dialog about computing.

Teach534

Hello, I am a 5th grade student at in the US. I love using the technology in my classroom. We get to use palms, danas, and hands on stuff during science. It makes kids feel like they can be trusted with technology. We love to have the freedom in our classroom and our school. People always say " children can never be trusted because of their lack of intelligence", but in this classroom I know it's total opposite. My teacher actual trusts me. I'm glad I have my liberty. This is probably the best year ever thanks to my teacher and my classmates.

Hi, we go to a school in the United states.  Were do you teach school?    We have alot of technology like palm pilots, computers and Dana's in our class.  We write alot of information.   What kind of technology do you use or have?   We also have Elmo which is an overhead  projector.  We love using technology.  We use technology  every day.  How much do you use technology?  We us technology for typing, sending things and stuff like that.  What do you use technology for?

Hello To All,
   We are a group of fifth grade students who use palm pilots to learn with. It does not disrupt the educational process it assists it. We use them to take notes with, we have Venn Diagrams, we have KWL charts. I's amazing to have so much programing in a palm size mechanism. We have a program that allows us to download websites so we can veiw them on your palms. It is very easy to learn in other places in the room instead of sitting in front  of the computer. We are vey happy to have palms becasue of the conveinence of them being so small and portable. There are cameras that conect to the palm and we can do assignments including use to take pictures of things. it is very amusing to have palms and very appropriate for the learning process and we are happy to have them too.
                                                                      Sincerely,
                                                                2 students
                                                             

We go to school in the United States.  Our palms teach us to be responsable on our school work that we do on our palms.  On our palms we have KWL (Know-Want to learn-Learned).  In our classroom we have alot of technology, there are computers, Dana's, palms, Elmo, camera, and Oscilloscope.  The reason why we have the technology is to make learning easier.        

We are  students at Mogadore school  in Ohio. I  think we should use the technology in school it makes kids want to respond more to the problem or work that they are assigned. I like the idea better with hands-on things than I do sitting and watching the teacher. It makes me want to work harder on what I might be doing.

Andy,

You guys work fast!  What level of teaching do you both do? I am curious as to the needs of assessment at your level versus the needs I have in a 5th grade classroom.  I am anxiously awaiting your prototype.  I certainly am glad that there are great minds out there working to improve assessment collection.  I would love to be able to share something as accessible as Excel with the other teachers in our building.  At present I am the only one using Palms - with students and for recording assessments.  Thank you for your interest!

Teach534