Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs):
Always a Productivity Tool but Now an Instructional Support
Tool for Classroom Teachers
Part 1 of a 3 Part Series
What is a PDA? Some words or terms
creep into daily use and PDA is a good example - - Personal Digital
Assistant. According to The
Computer Desktop Encyclopedia,
"A Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is an handheld computer
that serves as an organizer for personal information. It generally includes
at least a name and address database, to-do list and note taker. PDAs are
pen based and use a stylus to tap selections on menus and to enter printed
characters. The unit may also include a small on-screen keyboard which
is tapped with the pen. Data is synchronized between the PDA and desktop
computer via cable or wireless transmission. A PDA is like
a palmtop computer except that the PDA typically uses a pen whereas the
palmtop uses a small keyboard. Apple's MessagePad, more commonly known
as the "Newton," was the first to popularize the concept."
What are examples
of PDAs? There are several types or brands of PDAs, including
Handspring Visor (http://www.handspring.com),
Palm (http://www.palm.com), and Rim Blackberry
(http://www.blackberry.com).
The most popular is the Palm
and offers
several advantages. The Palm has the following features without
any additional software:
-
Ability to synchronize data with desktop or laptop.
-
Access email
-
Appointment manager
-
Address book
-
Calendar
-
Calculator
-
Memo Pad
-
To Do List
-
Expense manager and/or record
Aren't PDAs, then, JUST productivity tools and
not really an aid for instruction? Many
principals report having a Palm or other PDA to keep functions such as
calendar, address book, notes, To Do List, etc., but, until just recently,
these were not considered to be serious instructional supports. However,
as the prices have begun to drop on PDAs and the power and capacity increase
on these hand-sized devices, teachers have surprised a lot of people by
embracing PDAs at a rate that, in some instances, exceeds their use of
laptop computers! Teachers have begun requesting Palms as classroom
tools! This puts Palms or any PDAs in a whole new category for educators.
Principals need to be aware of this trend, including what is happening,
why, and how this could enrich a classroom.
What is happening? Teachers are
using a tether to attach and carry the Palm around their
necks or they are using a belt clip case. As they grade work, they
input the grade right into the PDA. When they observe students, they
can input the observations immediately 'on the fly'. These tools are about
the size of a calculator, lightweight, and highly portable, a plus for
busy teachers. Teachers who, previously, had students turn in papers
and essays printed out as hard copy and demonstrated no interest in having
students turn in those files electronically are NOW, because of the PDA,
asking students to do just that. They have students either give them
a disk with the document on it or, especially in upper elementary and middle
school, attach the assignment to email. From there the teachers are
downloading students' work through 'hot synching' from the desktop to the
PDA. Then, teachers can actually grade and edit documents on the
PDA while sitting in traffic, riding in the car pool, waiting for the soccer
game to finish and sitting in boring meetings!
Why is this happening?
It's unclear why teachers so readily adopt a PDA over a desktop or laptop
computer for classroom use. There is research underway to determine why
teachers appear to be more interested in using the Palm for classroom use,
but at this point, there are only speculations as to the reasons.
However, though the reason isn't obvious, it does appears that teachers
take on more "ownership" of these PDAs. Many have also reported that
they believe it takes less technology support to use them.
Other plausible reasons for their recent and growing
acceptance by teachers is that PDAs, Palms in particular, are now affordable,
often within the range of classroom technology budgets or even within the
personal budgets of teachers. They range in price from $149 to $499.
Another possible reason for the dramatic acceptance of the Palm or other
PDAs by teachers is the rapidly growing range of peripherals and enhancement
tools available. For example, it is possible to get a small, portable keyboard
(about 3.6” x 5.1” x 0.79” closed) that allows teachers to actually type
in information and edit documents. It folds into thirds, down to
about the size of the Palm itself, for less than $100. Another enhancement
is the modem for the Palm that allows the teacher to get email AND access
the Internet.
What are the implications for the principal?
The major implication for the principal is that this might be the "hook"
to get teachers interested in integrating technology into the classroom,
even the technophobes and hesitant teachers. This relatively inexpensive,
highly portable device could become the centerpiece of a technology initiative
focused on the classroom teachers' daily routine. It does not appear
'high tech' or 'disruptive'. In several schools where Palms were
offered to teachers who turned in a proposal for their use in teaching,
the demand was overwhelming and surprising. Teachers do need to
learn to "sync" or move data form the Palm to the desktop/latpop and back
to the Palm, which takes minimal training; teachers who had NOT used their
desktop computers much prior to the Palm, suddenly were using them BECAUSE
of the Palm. Once the teachers feel comfortable with this activity,
they tend to be less hesitant in using a desktop computer.
Part II will be discussion of Palm software for
personal and classroom use that includes free products and inexpensive
materials less than $40 dollars. Part III will include sample classroom
activities and inservice ideas for teachers with Palms.
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