Your district is considering implementing the use of handhelds in the classroom. Many questions arise. Who will own the handhelds - the students or the school? Will students be allowed to take handhelds home? How will issues such as damage, theft, and loss be handled? What policies need to be in place? Who will decide what will be contained on the handhelds? How will the handheld applications be managed?

There are several steps to take prior to implementing handhelds in your district:

• Revisit your district goals and integration plans or develop your goals and plans
• Identify curriculum areas, skills and standards to be addressed
• Develop policies related to handheld use
• Determine the handheld model to be used by your district
• Plan the set up and on-going management process
• Develop classroom rules
• Provide professional development for teachers

Resources that will help in this process:

K12handhelds.com - http://www.k12handhelds.com/classroomsolutions

"Administrative Solutions for Handheld technology in Schools". Pownell, David and Gerald D. Bailey, 2003, ISTE Publication, www.iste.org

"101 Great Educational Uses for Your handheld Computer". Fasimpaur, Karen, 2003, k12 Handhelds, Inc. k12handhelds.com

"Palm Handheld Computers - A Complete Resource for Classroom Teachers". Curtis, Michael; Bard Williams, Cathleen Norris, David O'Leary, Elliot Soloway,2003, ISTE Publications, www.iste.org

Education Quick Guide: Management and Support PDF

PAAM - http://www.goknow.com/Products/PAAM

PDA Manage! - http://www.grantstreetsoftware.com/

SD Deploy - http://www.grantstreetsoftware.com/

Palm Products - http://www.palm.com/us/products/

PocketPC Products - http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/eng/prodserv/handheld.html

Resellers for TIE Member districts:

CCV Software - www.tie.net/membership/discounts

SoftwareHouse International - www.tie.net/membership/discounts