Integration

Why use handhelds in schools? How can the handhelds be used in the classroom? When should handhelds be used? These are questions that teachers and administrators share across the country as they begin to consider this new innovation for classroom use.

There are several reasons that handheld computers are a logical choice for schools and classrooms.

1. Real World Tool - Handhelds are already widely used as a tool in the real world. Business people are using these devices as an integral part of their work. It is being used for scheduling, addresses, to-do lists, and document sharing. If adults are using the handheld, educators need to decide whether these devices will help our students learn and produce.

2. Effective Learning Tool - Constant and consistent access to handhelds for students can have a positive effect on their learning. The handheld will allow the student to have their computer with them all the time. The low cost provides the opportunity for anytime, anywhere access for every student. The small size allows students to be able to pull their handheld out of their book bag or desk any time they need it.

3. Versatile Tool - In addition to the date book, address book, and memo pad, these devices are very versatile for creative teachers and students. Writing, creating animations, developing concept maps, drawing pictures, collecting data using probes, using spreadsheets, manipulatiing databases, reading documents, taking quizzes, recording interviews, and taking picutres are all possible with the handheld. To make all this happen, much of the educational software is free or low cost.

4. Collaboration Tool - Students can beam documents to each other, they can print their work, or they can sync their handheld to a computer. All of these features provide the teacher with options that are important for a student-centered classroom.

5. Standards Required Tool - The use of technology is included in the national and state standards of many disciplines. The Principles and Standards for School Mathematics from the National Council of Teacher of Mathematics includes technology as one of the six principles. The Association for the Advancement of Science includes technology in each level of their standards. One of the twelve standards for language arts requires that students use a variety of technological and information resources to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge. The handheld computer is the most current and evolving technology to address these standards.

6. NCLB Tool - The No Child Left Behind legislation emphasizes the importance of leveraging the power of technology in all areas of K-12 education, from reading to science to special education.The emphasis on the use of technology to report on student achievement data emphasizes the importance of portable technology tools to assist in classroom assessment.

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