Instructional Technology @ PhilaU provides faculty with news, information,
resources,
and tips for using technology and integrating it into their curricula.
Instructional Technology @ PhilaU is published monthly by the Paul J.
Gutman Library.
Handheld Computers
Over the years, many technologies have been touted as THE tool that will revolutionize education: the pencil, the overhead projector, the film projector, the television, and most recently the computer. Each of these technologies have been introduced and accepted, to varying degrees, into the educational realm. However, the computer has the distinction of creating the greatest impact in the shortest amount of time. Is this because the computer is THE tool? THE one that will change education for the better? Perhaps, but more likely the effect can be attributed to the fact that computers have become such a prominent tool in every other aspect of society that we, as educators, have had no choice but to adopt them into our realm. Having accepted the importance of the computer, discussions of whether it is THE tool or not aside, we are now posed a second question: which member of the ever growing computer family is the best tool for those of us in education? Desktop, laptop, tablet or handheld? Windows, Mac, or Linux? PalmOS or Windows Mobile?
There are no hard and fast answers to these questions. My experience and research have shown me that each has its place and function, and that no one computer is the best in all situations.
- Desktops work well for design work, heavy programming and 3-D rendering.
- Laptops are great for basic Office functions, browsing the web and portable functions (e.g., presentations).
- Tablets are great for taking notes, especially in a mobile environment like insurance claims and medicine.
- Handhelds fill some of the same niches as laptops and tablets, with the additional bonus of fitting in the palm of your hand.
As computer technology continues to evolve, the ideas of which computers work best in given situations is beginning to blur. Computing is getting more powerful and smaller every year. Handhelds have evolved to a point where they have become a serious technological contender in the educational world. The Web Sites of Interest portion of this issue focuses exclusively on handhelds – what they are, how to use them, how they are being utilized in the classroom, and what experts are saying about their future.
If you are currently using handhelds in your courses, would like to
explore their feasibility for your courses, or are interested in learning
more, please contact me. I have experience with several models and some
interesting ideas for how they could be incorporated into your classroom
and academic life.
Kristopher Wiemer
Instructional Technology Specialist
Table of Contents
Instructional Technology News
The Instructional Technology Support Website (http://www.philau.edu/ITS) has a new feature. If you look at the menu on the left side of the screen, you will notice that a new button has been added: Tutorials. This feature contains an ever-growing collection of tutorials for many of the software packages currently used on campus, including Blackboard. The tutorials will include step-by-step written instructions with screen captures and video instruction using programs like RoboDemo, Camtasia, and SnagIt. If there is a feature or task for which you would find a tutorial useful, please send me an e-mail.
Keep your eyes and ears open for announcements about Spring Semester Workshops and the TLTR Group’s January Workshops.
Blackboard Update
By the Numbers
As of November 5, 2003, there are 146 live courses on Blackboard.
School or Program
|
Number of Course Sections
|
School of Architecture & Design |
11
|
| School of Business Administration | 35
|
| School of General Studies | 51
|
| School of Science & Health | 25
|
| School of Textiles & Materials Technology | 19
|
| Training/Professional Development | 5
|
Tips and Tricks for using Blackboard can be found on the Blackboard Resources for Faculty Web Page.
Information on Spring Semester course availability on the Development
Server and archiving Fall Semester courses will be coming to your e-mail
box soon.
November and December Workshops
Following is a list of workshops that are being offered during the months of November and December. Descriptions can be found at http://www.philau.edu/ITS, click on the Workshops link.
To register for any of these workshops, go to http://www.philau.edu/ITS/register.htm.
Teaching, Learning & Technology
Roundtable Workshop
The TLTR, in cooperation with Academic Affairs, is sponsoring a workshop on
Thursday November 20, 2003 entitled Best Practices in Teaching with Technology.
Starting at 11am, members of the faculty will present information and ideas
on technologies they have integrated into their curricula to enhance teaching
and student learning. Topics will include using FrontPage to enhance your
Blackboard site; creating and using virtual case studies, labs, and tutorials
using ReadyGo; creating and using tutorials created with RoboDemo; and how
to harness your students’ new “toys” Blogs and RSS. Please
join us for lunch and an informative session. Please RSVP to MaryEllen Woltman
(woltmanm@philau.edu or x2706).
Web Sites of Interest
If there is a site you would like to share with your colleagues, please send me the URL and I’ll include it in a later issue.What are Handheld Computers? – A
Brief History
The handheld computer can trace its roots back to the handheld calculator.
Through the years, companies have modified this root to bring to market
such products as the Franklin Organizer, Apple Newton, Nintendo GameBoy,
and the 3Com Palm Pilot. For a complete chronology of the handheld
computer see the following web site:
- Chronology of Handheld Computers by Ken Polsson
In recent memory handheld computers have been referred to as Palms (named after the first successfully marketed handheld of the current generation), PDAs (Personal Digital Assistant) and PIMs (Personal Information Manager). As the number of manufacturers has increased and the services offered by each type has increased, the generic term handheld computer has regained its popularity. Today there are three of handheld computer platforms (and this include hybrid cell phones): PalmSource-based, Microsoft Windows-based (often referred to as Pocket PC, or the new product Windows Mobile) and the new Linux-based. As with the Mac vs. Windows vs. Linux controversy, I have so simple answer as to which is the better platform, only that each has its pros and cons. You can find more information about the Palm vs. Windows vs. Linux debate at the following websites:
How to Use Handheld Computers - Tutorials
When you purchase a handheld computer, the system will come with a built-in
tutorial that will introduce you to the basics. But how do you use
the more advanced features? How do you install new software? Here are
a couple of useful tutorials:
- pdaED.com Learning Center
- PalmOne Tips & Tricks
- PDA Basic Training – University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
How are Handheld Computers Being Used in Higher Ed
Several colleges and universities are using handheld computers in courses
ranging from M.D. programs to general education courses. Here are a
few links to schools/programs that are currently using handheld computers:
- Handsprings to Learning – East Carolina University
- Zoology Department – North Carolina State University
- Pittsburgh Pebbles PDA Project – Carnegie Mellon University
- PDAs at the U. – University of South Dakota
- Investigation Station – Center for Highly Interactive Computing in Education @ The University of Michigan
- Handheld Devices: Toward a More Mobile Campus – Syllabus Magazine
- Implementing PDAs in a College Course – Syllabus Magazine
- EDUCAUSE Library – Handheld Computer Entries
- PalmOne Education Studies (scroll down to Higher Education – includes studies at Stanford University, Penn State @ Delaware County, and Clarke College)
The Future of Handheld Computers
As with any form of technology, the future is speculative. Research has
shown that there is a place for handheld computers, especially as many
institutions move towards ubiquitous computing. Following are a couple
of resources that may give you insight into the future of handheld
computers:
- EDUCAUSE Current Issues – Handheld Computers and PDAs in Higher Education
- Handheld Learning
- pdaED
Request for Information
What are you doing in your classes? Do you have a technology strategy/tool that has worked well for you and your students? Are you doing something innovative with Blackboard? Do you have a tip or trick for making Blackboard easier to use? Is there a topic you’d like to see investigated in this newsletter?
Send your ideas, questions, comments, concerns, best practices, etc.
to wiemerk@philau.edu.
Coming Next Month
Next month we’ll recap the TLTR Workshop including summaries
of the presentations and links to further information. In addition, we’ll
preview some of the upcoming workshops for the Spring Semester and some
of the soon to be released online tutorials.
Contact Information
Kristopher Wiemer, Instructional Technology Specialist
Paul J. Gutman Library, Room 111
(215)951-6332
wiemerk@philau.edu
http://www.philau.edu/ITS (click on IT@PhilaU for archives)
http://staff.philau.edu/wiemerk