The
use of Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's) is a new technology with great potential
for students with disabilities. With expanded operating systems, PDA's are actually
low-cost, mobile computers for word processing, Internet access, calculating and
reading internet websites/files aloud with text-to-speech features. Specialized
applications are available or can be created for a variety of uses. There
are two popular operating systems to choose from: Using PDA's in the ClassroomSeveral
projects have integrated the use of PDA's into
classrooms for all students in the following ways: - All homework and
reading assignments are done on the PDAs; no use of copied ditto sheets- students
receive, complete and send work via the PDA.
- Read books and write documents
on the PDA.
- Outlook scheduler is always available with programmed reminders
for self-management; Built-in organizational features are supplemented by tools
and checklists
- Share/transfer documents between PDA and computer; use
infrared wireless capabilities.
- Play downloaded internet games or read
newspapers
- Take notes anytime anyplace; they can be typed, hand-written
(character recognition) or JOT (or Transcriber) recognized.
- Microsoft's
eReader
allows you to read text files downloaded from sites on the Internet (e.g. The
Internet Public Library). The files can then be stored in a Library.
-
Email can be downloaded from the computer; answered on the PDA and sent when PDA
is docked to the computer
- Software turns the PDA into a graphing calculator
for math activities in higher grades.
- Track and analyze data; Create
and capture drawings
- Monitor and improve work place social skills
Next
Generation: PDA + Notetaker
Dana
(AlphaSmart)  This
device combines the affordability of a handheld PDA with the ergonomic benefits
of a notebook computer. Besides offering AlphaWord (AlphaSmart), with the Palm™
OS you gain access to more than 10,000 Palm applications. Dana includes a full-size
keyboard and a screen that's 3.5 times wider than the typical handheld screen,
making it accessible to a wider group of students. 
PDA
Applications and ResourcesApplications for Hand-Helds
Add-on
programs can enhance the PDA's capabilities:
EduPalm
Excellent site with resources for using hand-helds in K-12 education. Learning
at Hand This site reviews educational software for use for Palm OS®, and
offers helpful tips for integrating handheld devices into your classroom. Planet
5th by Tony Vincent Descriptive use of handhelds in a 5th grade classroom-
very useful! TechDis
Usability & Accessibility of PDA's in Education. Topics include usability
of a PDA as Assistive Technology as well as accessibility of the PDA to those
with a sensory disability. TextPlus
(Smart Cell) This programs provides word prediction options for PDA's with Palm
OS.
Thought
Manager (Hands High Software) This program offers an easy to use outliner and
information organizer for Palm operating systems. Teachers can plan lessons and
students can take organized notes.
Tucows
Website that offers rated software downloads for educators; includes applications
for students with disabilities (e.g. word prediction)
Projects The
Center for Highly Interactive Computing in Education (Hi-CE)
The Hi-CE
Project has developed education software applications for the Palm PDA which can
be downloaded from their site: - PiCoMap enables students to
create, share and explore concept maps on the Palm OS
- Fling It
takes any web page and sends it to your handheld to be viewed at any time without
being connected to the internet!
- HandySheets is a program that
allows users to create custom worksheets, quizzes, and surveys from a website,
which can then be downloaded onto Palm OS devices.
K-12
Handheld 101
Educational Uses for your PDA Paperless
Classroom Palm
Education Pioneer Grants Personal
Access=Learning Success (PALS) Technology Articles
The
Classroom of the Future (Newsweek: October 29, 2001)
The
Future of the Pocket PC (Pocket PC Magazine: March 12, 2002) | 
