Handheld Learning - learning with mobile and ubiquitous technologies

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

Welcome citricky

You may find useful advice if you post to the UKPalm User Group (ukpug) email list at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ukpug .

HTH

     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                     

Hi Students of Teach534,
>>> when you were a teacher did you have palms? What type of technology did you use in your classroom<<<

I took early retirement so I could escape the non-teaching management responsibilities of budgetting, staff management, documentation, and being in charge of the school from time to time, and all that.  Now I've been able to go back to actually teaching, which I do 3 days a week, and I'm enjoying, despite the school being in a socially deprived area and having some tough kids (there're also some fabulous kids who want to learn - they make it all worthwhile !).

The only Palms in the school are mine and one of the year 9 (13-14yrs - and he doesn't use it in school !), but others (staff) are interested.  The kids in my classes are fascinated by it when I do the register, and log merits or detentions, and write comments about their progress that lesson, as well as when I use its dictionary, calculator, and other applications.  They always ask can I get the internet - which I can, and I use it for SMS texting (not during lessons, so far, as it hasn't been necessary educationally).  It would be cool to beam them each their homework assignment, rather than have them copying it from a board !

In most classrooms we have a couple of workstations (on the school network), and have 4 computer rooms with about 20 stations; these also have data projectors.  Many rooms are being fitted with interactive whiteboards.  In Design & Technology we use CAD/CAM (computer aided draughting/design and computer aided manufacturing) quite a lot, linked to a laser cutter.

Exciting times to be learning !

Best wishes
PeterB

Hi
Easiest if I just paste in my standartd conference bnlurb and a link to my website and blog!
Really useful looking list. My main interest is in meaningful lifelong learning.

George

George Edwards


Head of Development, Institute of Leadership & Management

Educated in New Zealand, Malta, and the United Kingdom, George had a brief career in the as a teacher in Britain and Zambia, before joining British Aerospace as an instructor. After a spell in Dhahran at their technical studies institute, he worked for Saudi Arabian Airlines in Jeddah, then with Kuwait National Petroleum, and Olivetti personal computers in Italy. He then spent some years as communications consultant with a factory automation company. His career subsequently encompassed trainer training for the EITB, open learning consultancy, and the design and launch of several qualifications for Managers and Team Leaders. Since 1997 he has designed platforms which enable ILM to accredit a range of online and conventionally delivered management and leadership learning. He is responsible for new directions thinking, for establishing external relationships, and for enabling cross-functional activities in ILM, including the establishment of the Faculty of Local Government Managers. A fellow of the RSA and ILM, he has a published 23 books and workbooks in management.


Tel: 01423 819745
E: leadership@NTLworld.com
Web: www.TheGeorgeEdwards.com

Blog: www.bloglines.com/blog/leadership

Hello Everyone,
                       This is Manu from Encore Software Ltd., India. We are the co-inventors and developers of Simputer.

First of all I would really like to thank Graham for inviting me to be a part of this group. I feel that this is an excellent platform of discussing various issues pertaining to handheld devices and exploring new avenues for implementation.

I also came across the article on Simputers and I admit that I was really disappointed by the information given there as it is not true.

I would like to provide you all with the true picture of Encore Simputer and its capabilities as it is the only device of its kind in the world today.

I would like to lay stress on the fact that Encore Simputer is not a typical PDA. It is a versatile mobile computing device which is much more powerful then a PDA and caters to a wider user requirement. It has almost all the features of a PDA and much more.

The strength of Encore Simputer is a high computing platform, which can be loaded with customized applications to help clients in their respective line of business. It has a wide in-built peripheral support and multiple connectivity options that makes it one of a kind and enables it to operate in varied environments. These features make Encore Simputer fulfill most of the client’s requirements and provide optimized results.

To mention the multiple connectivity options available on Encore Simputer:

1) Serial & USB Master/Slave ports which allows the peripheral devices, like printers, scanners, digital camera, keyboards, USB 
    storage devices etc., to be attched with it.
2) It is the only handheld device with a Smart Card reader/writer.
3) IrDA for wireless transference of information.
4) Inbuilt modem which allows you to connect to internet on the move.
5) Compact Flash slot to attach a compact flash, a WiFi card or an ethernet adapter.

And above all it is a completely customisable device. It can be loaded with customised software applications and hence can be used exactly for the purpose user wants to use it and thus can make his respective workflow more efficient and optimized.

Some of the verticals that Encore Simputer can cater to are:

1)             e-Education
2)             e-Governance
3)   Sales Force Automation
4)   Utility Billing
5)   Point of Sale & Loyalty program
6)   Inventory and Warehouse management


You can get more information on the websites:

                                   www.ncoretech.com and www.encoresimputer.com

There has been an article in The Hindu's Businessline, which gives a clear picture of the popularity and usage of Encore Simputer. The article is available at the following link:

                                http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/04/14/stories/2005041400850500.htm

Since most of the members in this group are related to education and learning field, I would like to inform you all that Encore Simputer is a potent tool for the complete automation of schools and institutions. Infact we have writups with us that explain how Encore Simputer can be used for the same. If anyone is interested in the related information they can get in touch with me at the following email address:

                                         manu@ncoretech.com

I hope that I have been able to provide you all a clear picture of the capabilities and usability of Encore Simputer. In case of more information please feel free to get back to me. Looking forward of sharing and gaining more information from this group.

Best Regards.

Manu

Hello,my name is Fran Cedres, from the Canary Islands. I'm seriously thinking to do a Ph.D in m-learning. My english is no good enough so I prefer listening and reading than talking, till I can really contribute to this project.
I am a teacher (since 1986), but for the last eleven years I have been working as Boss of Computing Projects for Culture, in the Government of the Canary Islands.
Regards to everybody
Fran