But for adults, not schoolkids.
Posted on 10/29/2005 11:30:59 AM PDT by cloud8
At least eight high-tech school districts throughout Oregon have begun using Palm, Inc. technology in their classroom curriculum as part of a broad handheld integration program, the mobile computing company announced Thursday.
The integration concept jumped off in 2001 when Palm unveiled its Palm Education Pioneer (PEP) program grant.
With funding from the grant, more than 100 schools nationwide implemented Palm handhelds, while a number of research hubs studied the effectiveness of the device in a classroom setting, according to a recent press release.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
What exactly can they do on a Palm, except play Mine Sweeper, that they can't do with pencil and paper?
I agree. This smells like another educrat boondoggle.
I agree. I have a friend that keeps telling me that I need to buy a palm pilot. He can't tell me why though. I love "gadgets" if they are useful.
They can pass test messages to eachother with the infrared link. Or maybe even test answers!
The cheating potential is unlimited, the learning potential is dubious.
But for adults, not schoolkids.
I'll let you know just as soon as I figure out what I can do with the one I bought 6 months ago besides take it out and recharge the battery once a month. Obviously, according to the article, they're of more use to 7 year-olds than they are to 43 year-old professionals.
It appears from the article that they're not doing any academic work that they couldn't do with paper, pencils, and books. What else they're doing is the real interesting question :-).
The tablet is connected to a projector so that when the student uses the touch screen to highlight the map all the students will react. Students will be anxious to answer questions and be called to the front of the class to interact. Sounds like a powerful tool!
The ONLY "powerful tools" required in a classroom -- is a competent TEACHER..and disciplined students.
Sadly - those are the missing tools in most classrooms.
Semper Fi
Not to mention the fact that a Palm Pilot can hold dozens of ebooks at a time. So, instead of carrying around a ton of books in a backpack, they can carry even more info around in a handheld that weighs only a few ounces. I wish I had had my Tungsten T5 when I was in grade school, high school or college. I can't do with out it now.
Plus, there's the "cool" factor with kids. If you were raised on video games, which would you prefer to work with, books or handheld computers? I would expect that more kids would find it more fun to do their homework if it involves using a computer of any kind. My kids did, anyway.
That said, this is a public school system we're talking about and Teacher's Unions have demonstrated a singular talent for taking a good idea and turning it into a boodoggle. Here's hoping that doesn't happen here.
I use mine, with a folding keyboard, instead of a laptop at meetings.
My meeting notes are all organized, comprehensible, and electronically searchable.
I think, if used properly, PDAs can be a big addition to a classroom. The problem is that, if use of other computer technology in the classroom is any guide, it will be misused or unused if not implemented well.
Good start. I'm waiting for the additional bundling of MP3, Video, AM/FM, TV and naviation.
> While I love gadgets, I'm also a Luddite in some ways.
LOL Me too. I'm a minimalist Luddite--cheap *and* stubborn.
> For example, he might ask a student to point out the 13 colonies of Pre Revolutionary times [on the tablet PC]
As opposed to asking, Johnnie please come up to the map and point out the 13 colonies.
I've taught with a computer, and find it best when *I'm* the only one using it, and the students are paying attention rather than surfing the web and sending email.
> Sounds like a powerful tool!
It may be. For example, the whole class could interact instead of just one at a time. Or it may be an expensive gimmick. I look forward to hearing how the program worked out for your son-in-law.
How about
edubrat boondoggle
Oregon Ping
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Must be hard to type an opus on that though, LOL! (My DH is a total Gadget Guy, too.)
As for the kids having these, it doesn't bother me that they're being given to the kids through a grant and not taxpayer dollars, but you can count on THAT being the next step. The grant will run out, the school district will think that each kid MUST have a Palm to "keep up" with those that went before and then the taxpayer will end up footing the bill for more of these things...ensuring a tidy profit from the original "grantor."
Nobody does nothin' for free.
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