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Author Topic: as an educator, what do you use a PDA for?  (Read 16357 times)
thornuk
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« Reply #30 on: June 15, 2005, 04:46:22 PM »
Bearing in mind the potential importance of this thread to those of us in the education world, I'm surprised it appears almost dormant. 

Is there anyone out there using their PDA in the classroom - for anything  Huh

PeterB
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teach534
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« Reply #31 on: June 15, 2005, 11:39:01 PM »
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
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thornuk
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« Reply #32 on: June 16, 2005, 02:48:18 PM »
Hi Teach534 (and everyone else reading !),

4 of the last 5 posts from me give fair outline of one (perhaps the main) use I have for the T3 in the classroom - saves carting all those folders about with registers, schemes of work, syllabi, etc., plus the item in "Articles" section of this forum's site, and one in the "Introduce yourself" thread.  I also use the "EasyCalc" calculator (free)

Hope this helps,
Best regards,
PeterB
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thornuk
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« Reply #33 on: June 16, 2005, 02:55:43 PM »
...sent that too early - splitting tasks !

EasyCalc (free) which can show data in Basic, Scientific, Integer or Graphic forms, and has selectable buttons for Trig, Exponential, combinatorics, complex numbers, matrix functions, and several others I don't understand !

I also use the BDicty dictionaries (EnThes, Etymology, etc.), Adobe Reader, and have several useful memos, such as density of materials.

As Technology is  my subject area, I also have an Excel spreadsheet for calculating the materials cost of pupils' designs, one for a copy of the department timetable (2 week timetable), and a matrix of Key Stage 3 criteria (to make assessment easier).

HTH
PeterB
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teach534
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« Reply #34 on: June 16, 2005, 06:27:47 PM »
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
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eckhard
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« Reply #35 on: July 06, 2005, 04:46:31 AM »
I would like to use a palm running markbook cnx in the classroom for attendance and assessment. Is anyone using this and what feedback and advice would you have?
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thornuk
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« Reply #36 on: August 31, 2005, 04:11:57 PM »
Hi Andy (et al),

How did you get on with HandBase ?
I just bit the bullet and paid for a copy (yesterday)as I wanted the forms design feature which doesn't (i believe) come with the demo.  So I set to to transcribe what I've done on Excel over the past year, and on MobileDB in the previous year, all trying to match what I'd develped on Paradox over the past twenty years.

Not impressed.  Too much is non-intuitive.  (Since I was writing software in the '80s I've said if you need a thick manual, the program's not much use.)

The main problem is that the forms as designed on the PC don't fit onto the Palm T3 (at least) - they tell me there's a font incompatibility which means they can't scale the fonts down, so all the positioning becomes irrelevant.  It's better designing on the T3 and sync'ing back (somehow fonts seems to find a compatibility that way (Huh), but some fields are misplaced (only a few, which is tantalising).  However, it means that the quicker way to design (on PC) is practically useless.

Furthermore, large database tables won't fit on one screen, and it won't scroll (either way).  The "fix" they offer is to design a number of pages and insert a "tab" button to link between them.

Other functions are either arcane or impossible.  Their technical team have been most helpful to the 7 emails I've sent in as many hours, but have had to admit that in most cases what I wish to do can't be done.

For what they claim to be "No.1" mobile database, for me it doesn't shape up to a mature relational database product.  MobileDB doesn't do forms, so that's why I havebeen trying HandBase.

FileMaker Pro has a mobile version, but that's a much more expensive animal at £45, with the PC associate ate £219.  Anyone experience of this ?

PeterB
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Andy
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« Reply #37 on: September 04, 2005, 11:35:03 PM »
Dear Peter,

I've been having lots of success with Handbase - I've posted a few things on my blog - http://www.mobile-learning.blog-city.com - see "my current holy grail".

I've managed to create some pretty large databases which contain a relational-esk component. For instance, the inclusion of other databases as part of the input options (from drop down menus etc.,) with a current database. I've also given it a road testing in the class environment.

I find the authoring very simply (once you've sketched out what you actually want), and the forms are easily created in the desktop and then fine-tuned in terms of aesthetics on the PDA. Also the movement of information from handbase into access (or excel) is pretty straightforward. Currently, my main issue is the report facility - it is rather poor. I need to get the data into access to run reports as the inbuilt reporting software is poor. This is a chore at meetings, it would be better to simply "dump" the database onto a memory card and run the reports as required in the staff meetings.

I've left it that the next stage is to get exposure to the type of databases that teachers want and how they wish to interface with the software/hardware in the classroom. So, I've still got an early version of your excel database - which I'll look at. But I was thinking, are you going to this Handheld Conference at Goldsmiths? If yes, perhaps we could meet up, have a drink and see if we can assess if Handbase will do the job.
Cheers

Andy
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Andy Ramsden
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University of Bath
thornuk
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« Reply #38 on: September 05, 2005, 05:29:10 PM »
Hi Andy,
Yes, I'm presenting a workshop on Saturday, but intend to be there Friday also.  It would be good to meet and discuss the issues.

Looking forward to Oct 14/15 !
PeterB
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Andy
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« Reply #39 on: September 05, 2005, 09:29:53 PM »
Great news. I asked Graham about free rooms etc., for the potential of a Special Interest Group on using Handbase. He's not sure given the very conguested timetable and resource pressures. Therefore, could I suggest that we simply look at the timetable for Friday / Saturday and arrange a time off list. That said, if there are any others with a desire to see what we are upto or add their thoughts then that would be great ... simply reply here and we can arrange a time to catch up.

See you on the 14/15

Cheers

Andy
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Andy Ramsden
Head of e-Learning
University of Bath
Andy
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« Reply #40 on: September 22, 2005, 12:51:56 PM »
FYI - for those interested in the "collect the data on a handheld and move to a centrally supported Access database", but do all this on a very small budget discussion i.e., using Handbase 3 (US$39) and Access (or Excel) then I'm starting to develop support material for people at the UoB. If you want a look, and wish to comment then it's available from http://www.mobile-learning.blog-city.com/advice_on_uploading_data_collected_on_handbase_to_a_central_.htm

In summary, at this stage, the procedure is very straightforward and if you have a need then I'd recommend it ;-)
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Andy Ramsden
Head of e-Learning
University of Bath
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