Handheld Resources

Handheld Computing Resources

= Favorite Site

General Resources for Teaching and Learning with Handhelds

Classrooms Using Handhelds

Educational Software Collections and Recommendations

Research Reports and Success Stories

Online Publications

Online Discussion Groups

E-Books for Handheld Computers

Hardware and Accessory Sites

Glossary of Handheld Computing Terms (PDF) (requires Acrobat Reader)

General Resources for Teaching and Learning with Handhelds

education @ palm

http://www.palmone.com/us/education/

This site links to information about Palm hardware, software, and educational research.

EduPalm

http://user.pa.net/~ankney/

This site contains many links and a table comparing Palm devices.

Handheld Computers as Mindtools

http://www.rainbowtech.org/workshops/summer2001/Mindtools.html

This site supports the idea of using handheld computers as mindtools – computer applications that require students to think in meaningful ways in order to represent what they know.

Handheld Devices in the Classroom

http://www.eduscapes.com/tap/topic78.htm

Created by Annette Lamb, this site gives general resources for handheld learning, but also includes specific information on how to get involved in geocaching using a handheld computer and a GPS device.

Handhelds in Schools – 2002

http://www.unocoe.unomaha.edu/handhelds/

This site, from the Metropolitan Omaha Educational Consortium, puts forth three goals: to introduce the reader to the potential for handhelds in schools; to provide ideas for using handhelds in classrooms; to highlight current handheld websites and articles that are useful resources for educators.

Handheld Learning

http://educatorspalm.org/

This site is dedicated to the use of handheld technologies in education for leading, teaching, and learning. It includes especially good resources for administrators including a Handheld Computer Leadership Model which identifies and explores 13 issues that leaders should consider when implementing handhelds.

How PDAs Work

http://www.howstuffworks.com/pda.htm

If you’re interested in learning how that handheld computer actually works, visit this site.

Learning with Handhelds: Engaging Students with Mobile Technology

http://www.intel.com/education/handhelds/index.htm

This site by Intel includes three sections: About Handhelds, Managing With Handhelds, and Teaching With Handhelds.

Palmtops:Computing @ Every Student

http://k-12.pisd.edu/handhelds/

This site is a collection of resources, lessons learned and questions asked as Plano, TX ISD implements the use of handhelds.

Power in the Palm of Your Hands

http://kathyschrock.net/power/

This page by Kathy Schrock provides educators with resources for effective use of the handheld computer in support of teaching and learning. The site includes supporting Web sites, links to hardware and software sites, books, and training handouts.

TechDIS: Usability and Accessibility of PDAs in Education

http://www.techdis.ac.uk/PDA/

This project examines the accessibility and usability of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) within an educational setting. Topics covered include usability of a PDA as Assistive Technology as well as accessibility of the PDA to those with a functional disability (e.g. hearing impairment).

Usight

http://usight.concord.org/

Usight is the branch of the Concord Consortium currently studying the use of handheld computers as a means of providing ubiquitous computing in education. This site includes links to extensive ideas for using handhelds in the curriculum.

Classrooms Using Handhelds

Consolidated High School District 230: Schools of Thought

http://www.d230.org/Handheld/

Students in all three Consolidated High School District 230 schools are participating in the largest educational deployment of handheld computers in the United States. Nearly 1,700 students and 65 teachers are taking part in the program.

Learning in Hand

http://www.mpsomaha.org/willow/p5/handhelds/index.html

This web site by fifth grade teacher, Tony Vincent, shows how his students have been using handheld computers in his classroom for the past two years. Vincent shares valuable management strategies, class activities, software and hardware recommendations, and much more. Be sure to watch the student-created “How-To” videos.

Learning with Handhelds: Michigan Schools Uplugged in Berrien County

http://www.remc11.k12.mi.us/lwl/

Visit this site to follow the progress of 3000 7^th graders in Michigan as they begin to use handhelds in their schools.

Educational Software Collections and Recommendations

Palm Applications in Education by The Concord Consortium

http://pie.concord.org/

Each month new application reviews are be added to this database. The reviews include an overall summary and ranking of each application, project starters, companion applications, correlations to standards, and a link to obtain the software.

Handheld Applications for Educators

http://www.k12handhelds.com/apps.php

This site lists and describes Administrative, Teaching and Learning, Productivity, and Communications Applications, as well as Expansion Modules for educators.

Education Applications

http://www.rainbowtech.org/Palm/palmapps.htm

This categorized listing of handheld applications covers both administrative and classroom curriculum uses.

Software for Handhelds

http://www.techlearning.com/db_area/archives/TL/2003/04/spotlight.html?_loopback=1

This article in tech Learning magazine surveys over 50 assessment, productivity, and curriculum applications for educators and students.

Software Reviews by Learning @ Hand

http://www.learningathand.com/reviews/

The handheld specialists at GoKnow® work with classrooms across the nation to see what software is being used and how it is being implemented. Every month they share some of these ideas, trying to highlight free software when possible, but also showcasing some "gotta-have" commercial products.

Lesson Plans/Ideas

101 Great Educational Uses for Your Handheld Computer

http://k12handhelds.com/101list

The precursor to the book of the same name, this list gives students, teachers, and administrators ideas for using handhelds.

Intel Learning with Handhelds Lesson Plans

http://www.intel.com/education/handhelds/handhelds.htm

Lesson plans downloadable to your handheld device.

Lesson Plans Using Handhelds

http://www.unocoe.unomaha.edu/handhelds/chapter3.htm

The lesson ideas at this site are from teachers who have taken a graduate course dealing with handhelds in the classroom. These lesson ideas show the possible varied uses of handhelds, as well as showing how creative teachers create interesting activities for their students.

Modeling Handheld Use in the Classroom

http://handheld.tie.net/integration/modeling.htm

Scroll down on this page to be able to download lessons created by a group of South Dakota educators integrating handheld computers into curriculum and assessment.

Palm Education Pioneer (PEP) Idea Bank

http://www.palmgrants.sri.com/ideabank.html

Look here for ideas for using specific hardware and software with handhelds in class.

PALM TREES ~ Lesson Plans

http://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/Palm_Trees/palm_trees_lesson_plans.htm

The School District of Pickens County, South Carolina, shares their collection of handheld lesson plans.

Research Reports and Success Stories

A Foothold for Handhelds

http://www.asbj.com/specialreports/0903SpecialReports/S3.html

This article from the American School Board Journal tells how 5th grade teacher Tony Vincent got his start with handhelds two years ago.

Handheld and Mobile Devices Literature List

http://scienceview.berkeley.edu/research/handheld/

This somewhat dated source is a compilation of research and reports related to the use of handhelds in education – last updated in 2002.

Palm Education Pioneers (PEP) Program Final Report

http://www.palmgrants.sri.com/PEP_Final_Report.pdf

This research report by SRI International describes the findings related to 102 classrooms using handheld technologies.

Project WHIRL

http://www.projectwhirl.org/index.html

Project WHIRL is a three-year research project funded by the National Science Foundation to demonstrate how handheld technology can help students improve learning in hands-on science activities. This site also provides links to unique software being used in this project.

A Report Card on Handheld Computing

http://www.techlearning.com/db_area/archives/TL/2002/02/handheld.html

This article presents a brief history of handheld devices and discusses their growth and potential.

SEIR TEC NewsWire – Using Handheld Technologies in Schools

http://www.itrc.ucf.edu/other/seirtec/NewsWire

This special updated edition of NewsWire is devoted to exploring the possibilities of handheld computing in K-12 schools. Read about the basics, get an overview of wireless networking and technology and learn about handheld projects schools are implementing. Use the dropdown menu at the bottom of the page to see the table of contents.

Success Stories

http://ww.palmone.com/us/education/studies/

This site includes first-hand accounts of how K12 schools and higher education are implementing handhelds.

Tutorials/Tips and Tricks

About.com PDA Learning Center

http://palmtops.about.com/library/bllearningcenter.htm

This site features tutorials and links to help you get the most out of your handheld computer.

Atomic Learning

http://atomiclearning.com/

The Atomic Learning site houses hundreds of short tutorial videos on a wide variety of software. One of their tutorials covers the Palm OS. This site requires a subscription, but if you’re a member of MACUL, you automatically have a free subscription. MACUL emails the Username and Password information to its members every month.

Installing and Using the Palm OS Emulator

http://www.pdacortex.com/palm_emulator.htm

The Palm OS Emulator is a valuable tool for use with handheld computers. Its installation and setup are tricky however – this article should help.

PDAed Learning Center

http://www.pdaed.com/vertical/tutorials.xml

The tutorials at this site are intended to provide valuable information and step-by-step instructions for all handheld users, from beginner to professional.

The Palm Tipsheet: Practical Tips for Palm Handheld Users

http://palmtipsheet.com

Visit this site to browse an archive of Palm tips related to built-in applications and specific models.

Virtual Help Desk: Palm Handheld

http://matrix2.d20.co.edu/helpdesk/palm.html

Thanks to Academy School District Twenty in Colorado Springs, CO for this collection of tutorials (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).

Books and Magazines

101 Great Educational Uses for Your Handheld Computer

Karen Fasimpaur

Available from K12 Handhelds: http://www.k12handhelds.com/book

This book gives schools the information they need to implement a handheld program and covers topics from purchase considerations to classroom integration tips. It describes a wide variety of handheld applications for administration, communication and collaboration, and teaching and learning. Classroom management ideas, cross-curricular integration strategies, and detailed lesson plans make this a valuable guide for anyone using handhelds with students.

Administrative Solutions for Handheld Technology in Schools

David Pownell & Gerald D. Bailey

Available from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE): http://www.iste.org/bookstore/detail.cfm?sku=handso

This book is a practical guide to managing and evaluating the educational impact of handheld technology. Delving into key issues such as total cost of ownership, security, curriculum development, technical support, professional development, and assessment, this new title offers a blueprint for integrating handhelds into curricula, classrooms, and administrative tasks.

Education in Hand

http://www.districtadministration.com/page.cfm?id=328

This monthly supplement to District Administrator provides articles specific to the use of handhelds in schools. Available online or in hard copy.

Education Quick Guides

http://www.palmone.com/us/education/resourcelibrary/quickguides.html

Your handheld is a full-fledged computer capable of running thousands of programs. Currently, there are more than 20,000 titles available for the Palm OS. Each of the Quick Guides on this page will give you a sampling of software and accessories available for your handheld in selected curriculum areas.

Handheld Computing Magazine

Published bimonthly by Handheld Media Group, Inc.

Available in eBook format at http://www.palmdigitalmedia.com/author/detail/1072

Handhelds for Teachers and Administrators

Janet Caughlin with Tony Vincent

Available online at http://www.amazon.com

This book is a great resource intended to help teachers and administrators incorporate handhelds into their professional lives and into the educational experiences they create for students. Book covers both Palm OS and Pocket PC, and includes lessons, hardware and software reviews, advice on funding and grants, and much more.

How to Do Everything with Your Palm Handheld, 4^th Edition

Rick Broida & Dave Johnson

Available at book stores or online at http://www.amazon.com

This guide takes the approach that handheld computers based on the Palm operating system are so user-friendly and crash-proof that it's useless to spend a lot of time telling you how to get it to work. Rather, How to Do Everything with Your Palm Handheld is more of a taskmaster, leading you through such productivity tips as tracking expenses, planning trips, and using the Palm as a business productivity software suite.

Palm Computers in the Elementary Classroom - Curriculum and Strategies

Michael Curtis, Janine Kopera, Cathleen Norris, & Elliot Soloway

Available from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE):

http://www.iste.org/bookstore/detail.cfm?sku=palmec

This book shows how elementary teachers can effectively integrate handheld computers as learning tools into everyday curriculum. With detailed activity guides, activities range from small, independent lessons to complete cross-curricular units.

Palm Handheld Computers: A Complete Resource for Teachers

Michael Curtis, Bard Williams, Cathleen Norris, David O’Leary, & Elliot Soloway

Available from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE): http://www.iste.org/bookstore/detail.cfm?sku=palmbo

This book is a one-stop resource to help teachers integrate Palm handheld computers into the classroom. The authors have distilled their field knowledge into a practical, accessible guide, complete with a technology overview of handhelds, lesson plans, assessment resources, and tips and templates for managing student use, and strategies for finding and evaluating software for handheld use.

Palm Organizers: Visual QuickStart Guide, Third Edition

Jeff Carlson

Available at book stores or online at http://www.amazon.com

Author Jeff Carlson provides detailed usability and productivity tips in this book focusing on Palm powered devices. This book will take you beyond entering addresses and appointments and help you maximize your productivity when using a handheld device.

PalmTop User Magazine

http://www.palmtop.co.uk/palmuser/

Palmtop User magazine brings you the best news, reviews, in-depth features and tips for the whole range of today’s handheld computers, including Palm OS and Pocket PC, Psion and Symbian OS. Subscribe online.

Palmtops: Computing @ Every Student

Jim Hirsch, Mary Hewett, & Candy Atwood

Available from FTC Publishing: http://www.ftcpublishing.com/palmtops.html

If you are thinking of using handheld computers in the classroom, then this book is perfect for you. Learn strategies for classroom set-up, management, and student use. Palmtops devotes four chapters to “Getting the Most From Your Handheld Computer”. Built-in Applications, 3rd Party Applications, Authoring Applications, and Peripherals are examined extensively.

Simple Activities Using Handhelds

Marcia Russel

Available online at http://www.amazon.com

Tips and Tricks for Using Handhelds in the Classroom

Midge Frazel & Joe R. Souza, Jr.

Available from Teacher Created Materials, Inc.: http://www.buyteachercreated.com/estore/product/3840

Here's a practical guide for integrating the use of handhelds in all areas of the curriculum. Also included are tips for using the device and software, managing classroom records, and organizing student assignments.

Online Publications

Educational Technology Weblog – News About Handhelds

http://www.psesd.org/weblogs/edtech/archives/cat_handhelds.html

The Educational Technology Weblog, published by Puget Sound Educational Service District, covers topics on instructional and administrative uses of technology to improve student learning.

The Handheld Educator

http://www.techlearning.com/palm/

Download these colorful supplements on handheld computing. You'll find innovative activities for you to use in your classrooms and information on how to manage, evaluate, and more.

The Palm Tipsheet

http://palmtipsheet.com/

The Palm Tipsheet is a free monthly newsletter providing relevant news and practical tips for Palm handheld users. Each issue includes a list of notable links to newsworthy items from the past month, an in-depth feature article on ways to more effectively use a Palm handheld and an interview with an international Palm handheld user.

PDA Buzz

http://www.pdabuzz.com/

PDA Buzz includes user reviews, daily news, tips & tricks, and editorials of interest to PDA users from all over the world. PDABuzz.com has been recognized as a leading news and information source by the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Pocket PC Magazine, and other major publications both online and in print.

Online Discussion Groups

Brighthand™ Discussion Forums

http://discussion.brighthand.com/palmhandhelds/

Join in free discussions about Palm™ handheld computers and related topics. This is a great place to get help with a handheld problem you may be having.

Learning @ Hand

http://learningathand.com/discussion/

This is a forum for educators to offer strategies for integrating handhelds into the classroom, share success stories, brainstorm solutions to problems, and participate in meaningful discussion about the overall challenges and rewards of using handheld computers with students. Free but requires registration.

eBooks for Handheld Computers

EBookMall

http://www.ebookmall.com/palm/

Purchase and download eBooks from this site.

eBook Primer

http://www.palmdigitalmedia.com/ebookprimer.cgi

Learn about eBooks and what you need to be able to use them.

FAQ: etexts for PDAs

http://www.andreas.com/faq-etext.html

This page is an overview of etexts – to read on your PDA, how to convert texts into books, and where to find texts.

MemoWare

http://www.memoware.com/

This site has thousands of free eBooks and other handheld documents.

Palm Digital Media

http://www.peanutpress.com/

If you have a Palm handheld, Sony Clié, or any other Palm OS device, you can be off reading eBooks from this site in minutes.

PdaBooks.org

http://www.pdabooks.org/

PDABooks.Org is a free resource for handheld enthusiasts to provide all your reading needs. It's reading in the palm of your hand. All of the books on this server are believed to be in the public domain in the United States or permission to distribute has been obtained.

University of Virginia eBook Library

http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/ebooks/ebooklist.html

This site provides access to 1,800 publicly-available e-books including classic British and American fiction, major authors, children's literature, the Bible, Shakespeare, American history, African-American documents, and much more.