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February 15, 2002
A Report Card on Handheld Computing (cont'd)
Potential for Schools
Content and curriculum integration issues aside, what make handheld devices particularly interesting for education are their scaled-down nature, minimal energy requirements, and reasonable price. For one, their dimensions and weight-the bulkiest are about six ounces-make it easy for students to put them into backpacks and back pockets, and many of the mid-range models run on inexpensive and easily available AAA batteries. While some educators express concern over the devices' small screen size (they span anywhere from 2.8 inches to 3.8 inches), citing it as an obstacle to effective use in the classroom, anecdotal evidence suggests that this does not trouble kids, accustomed as they are to smaller devices. Finally, handhelds are much less expensive than laptops, with the lowest-end Palm OS device costing about $130, and the most functional (full color, full memory) Pocket PC about $600.
Handhelds' slimmed-down software applications also mean a quick turnaround time for enhancements and updates. So as education standards are revised, and new tools are designed, developers can provide timely versions of math or science offerings, update digital encyclopedias with current events, or add more powerful options to existing curriculum programs. Mike Curtis, a graduate student who designs software for handhelds at the University of Michigan's Center for Highly Interactive Computing in Education (Hi-CE), tells us that in just one year his team has been able to double the number of applications they've created for handhelds, as opposed to the usual development cycle of two or more years for desktop computer software.
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| Handhelds outfitted with sensors allow science students to measure and analyze pH and dissolved oxygen levels. |
Indeed, the ongoing development of handheld software applications by education organizations such as Hi-CE as well as commercial content vendors is another positive sign for the future of these devices in schools. While Hi-CE supports schools through such offerings as kids' drawing and animation tools and skill practice programs, others such as Texas Instruments, PASCO, ImagiWorks and national nonprofit The Concord Consortium have focused on applications that bring science alive for students. Their software combines probes and sensors with handheld units to allow users to capture and analyze data in real time in the field and then graph and display results on the spot or back at the classroom desktop. There are also a handful of programs now available for educators on the move. For example, digital content publisher Classroom Connect, which brings the yearly Quest investigations to classrooms, offers professional development materials for teachers (and soon for superintendents) specifically designed for handheld delivery.
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