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Handhelds in the Classroom

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Professional Development & Implementation Services: Handhelds in the Classroom: How can educators use handhelds as a teaching and learning tool?

Course Description

Handheld computers are not simply organizers — they are fully functional computers that run a variety of software applications. Their cost is a fraction of desktop and laptop computers, so it's easier for schools to achieve one-to-one computing. Great software , combined with meaningful, effective learning activities , is the perfect way to engage learners. Handhelds are also productivity tools for teachers, allowing them collect and organize data for assessment.

A full-day Handhelds for Teachers Workshop consists of three modules. There are eight modules available, described below, so schools can mix and match to meet their needs. Whichever modules are chosen, educators will leave with free and demo software along with great resources for using handhelds as teaching and learning tools.

Palm Basics
This module is for educators who know very little about the Palm Operating System. During this fast-paced module, educators learn to operate a handheld computer and glimpse the possibilities of handhelds in schools.
Educators will learn to:

Understand the basic principles of the Palm Operating System
Practice text entry using the Onscreen Keyboard and Graffiti 2
Use the Palm Operating System to create, beam, and delete Memo Pad and To Do List documents
Take home valuable, step-by-step walkthroughs

Activities for Beginners
To be successful in integrating handheld technology into their curriculum, teachers need to start with simple activities. In this module educators participate in cross-curricular activities that are easy for teachers to implement and engaging for students.
Educators will learn to:

Identify the advantages of handhelds computers in education
Learn to create quizzes for handhelds
Use concept mapping software
Take home useful resources, including handouts for students

Math
Handhelds can be used for math activities that address different levels of thinking. This module will introduce activities at each level of Bloom's Taxonomy: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
Educators will learn to:

Learn innovative activities based on Bloom's Taxonomy
Learn to use handhelds for math facts, order of operations, estimating, geometry formulas, and Roman numerals
Take home useful resources, including handouts for students

Science
This module presents a number of science activities that allow students to construct their own knowledge with the help of handheld computers.
Educators will learn to:

Learn to use handhelds to teach about gravity, genetics, biodiversity, moon phases, and ecology
Understand the application of constructivism in using handhelds to teach science
Take home useful resources, including handouts for students

Social Studies
Learning activities result in varying retention rates based on the teaching method used. Discussion groups, practice by doing, and teaching others are methods that have the highest retention. This module introduces innovative activities you can conduct with handhelds that use these methods to teach social studies concepts.
Educators will learn to:

Learn to use handhelds in a variety of social studies activities, using effective teaching methods that result in high retention rates
Cover lessons in history, economics, and other social studies topics
Take home useful resources, including handouts for students

Language Arts
Handhelds are a great way to engage students in language arts. This module presents meaningful and motivational handheld activities in this critical content area.
Educators will learn to:

Learn effective ways to engage learners in reading and writing activities using handhelds
Take home useful resources, including handouts for students

Assessment and Accountability
Teachers are constantly collecting assessment data from student performance in class and on assignments. Handhelds are a perfect solution for keeping track of much of this information. In this module educators will use various pieces of handheld software used for keeping track of student behavior, skills, and grades.
Educators will learn to:

Create a database for recording observable behavior
Learn to keep track of grades using a handheld
Use handhelds to improve class participation

Hardware and Classroom Management
This module helps educators make informed decisions about purchasing handhelds, either to begin a handheld program or to expand an existing one. It also helps them learn about peripherals and gives strategies to manage the use of handhelds in the classroom.
Educators will learn to:

Learn about handheld components and peripherals and be able to make informed decisions about their importance when making purchases
Learn about classroom management strategies
Take home resources including helpful checklists and guidelines

Call us for a free, personal consultation

We are available to consult with you on how we can help meet your needs. We invite you to call us at 800-342-0236. We look forward to working with you.