Week Three: Topic (Educational Technology), Module (Integrating Palm Pilots) – Clip: Using Handhelds in the Classroom

Based on the video, there were many innovative ways that graduate students (teachers) plan to use handheld computers to teach. One strategy is for teachers to use them to integrate handheld computers into their lesson plans. For instance, one teacher stated that certain chemistry problems, such as stoichiometry, were quite difficult for students to perform in class. To solve this dilemma, this teacher had students solve problems on their individual handheld computers. Students are then able to share and verify the correctness of their responses with classmates by “beaming” their answers to one another. Another teacher emphasized that this learning style promoted cooperative and collaborative learning among students. The second strategy of using handheld computers is for organizational purposes. One teacher stated that some students, especially special education students, tend to forget their agenda at home. One way to rectify this dilemma was to require for these students to have handheld computers as stated in their IEPs.

An important advantage of handhelds that the professor identified over laptops is the fact that these gadgets were not connected to the Internet. I believe that this is an important advantage because it helps to keep students focus on classroom instruction. Additionally, it helps to eliminate the temptation for students to surf the web if he or she has access to the Internet.

There are some general advantages of using wireless technologies in the classroom. Among those advantages are opportunities for all students to participate and to store classroom materials electronically. Often times, every student does not participate in classroom discussion for various reasons. At the same time, there may be two or three active students answering all of the questions. One way to overcome this issue is allowing students to type in their responses on their handheld computers. This would definitely give all students an opportunity to become active learners. Secondly, both teachers and students are able to store their classroom materials electronically. This is a great advantage, especially for teachers, because they would no longer have to carry home tons of notebook and papers to grade. This is also advantageous for students because they would be able to maintain an electronic portfolio.

Wireless technologies can change the “traditional” classroom environment in both the present and future. Currently, there are pockets of school districts around the United States using handheld computers. In fact, it is mandatory in some school districts. Teachers and principals are using it to stay organized, maintain students’ grades, maintain students’ personal information, etc. In the future, I can see a time in which every student would be required to bring a handheld computer to class. The times in which students must bring their textbook to class will soon be history. This could also be cost effective if school districts can find a way to replace textbooks with electronic copies.