Dynamite for those requiring data to back-up grant proposals for handheld learning initiatives is research recently completed by the University of Michigan on behalf of the National Science Foundation:
The University of Michigan conducted two studies using GoKnow's educational programs for handheld computers. The first study, underwritten by the National Science Foundation, focused on the science curriculum for seventh graders at three Detroit, Michigan middle schools during the 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 school years. The curriculum asked students to create various documents, such as concept maps, spreadsheets, animations, written reports and slide presentations about air quality, basic chemistry, communicable diseases and water quality. Students used handheld computers with GoKnow's Handheld Learning Environment(TM) to illustrate their understanding of the science concepts and processes. Those not using handhelds used pencil and paper to create these documents.
"This study is the first of its kind," said Cathleen Norris, PhD, co-founder and chief education architect of GoKnow, and a professor at the University of North Texas. "Our conclusion is: handheld computers are a low-cost, engaging way for students to successfully learn science."
According to both Soloway and Norris, the research shows that in the first year of the study, handheld computer groups did 2 percent better than non-handheld groups. In the second year, handheld groups performed 13 percent better in science than non-handheld groups.
"The students were able to do things with the Palm that they could not often do on paper. I noticed that some students who were usually unmotivated were more interested in what we were doing, and kids that were more tactile really succeeded with Palm use," said Alycia Meriweather, a seventh grade science teacher at Farwell Middle School in Detroit. "I think the biggest success with the students was to see their progression over time and the look on their faces when they had created something that showed their understanding of the content in a new and different way."
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