Handheld Computing: Pathway to Pervasive

Computing?Susan Powers and Kenneth Janz

Indiana State UniversityMelissa Thomeczek

Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville

AECT International Convention Thursday, October 21, 2004

Chicago, Illinois

8:30:00 AM-9:00:00 AMConference 4-J - 4th Floor

http://coe.indstate.edu/powers/AECT/chicago.htm

Changing Nature of Technology

Shrinking Computing Size

MainframeComputers

Microcomputers

NotebookComputers

HandheldComputers

Changing How We Communicate

Sneaker Net

Wired Networks

Wireless Networks

Why Are These Two Trends Important?

Ubiquitous/Pervasive Computing

Computer devices will be increasingly smaller, more

portable and will be commonplace. These educational tools will connect wirelessly and become an integral part of the teaching and learning process.

When this transition to ubiquitous computing occurs, it is likely to take place in a relatively short period of time, rather than in a

linear progression.

(Bull, Garofalo, and Harris, p. 8, 2003)

Promise of Ubiquitous Computing

• “Tipping Point”• Adoption and diffusion• Modeling• Technology Leadership

Building A Case

Robyler (2003)

Motivation

Unique Instructional Capabilities

New Instructional Approaches

Increased Teacher Productivity

21st Century Skills

Robyler (2003) Cuban (2001)

Motivation Transform teaching into an engaging and active process

Unique Instructional Capabilities

Transform teaching into an engaging and active process

New Instructional Approaches

Transform teaching into an engaging and active process

Increased Teacher Productivity

Make schools more efficient and productive

21st Century Skills Prepare the current generation for the future workplace

Why Handhelds?

Robyler (2003) Cuban (2001) Handheld Uses

Motivation Transform teaching into an engaging and active process

Provide student access to grade review Provide individual, mobile computing to students Instant information access!

Unique Instructional Capabilities

Transform teaching into an engaging and active process

Find locations with GPS Field use of scientific probes with real-time analysis Simulations Instant information access!

New Instructional Approaches

Transform teaching into an engaging and active process

Increase content accessibility for those with disabilities Conduct academic competition Instant information access!

Increased Teacher Productivity

Make schools more efficient and productive

Keep an inventory of instructional materials Store and access lesson plans Store and track IEPs and grades Instant information access!

21st Century Skills Prepare the current generation for the future workplace

Collaborate on a graphic organizer Make a presentation Exchange information with peers Access online educational events Instant information access!

Case for Handhelds

Handheld as a Learning Handheld as a Learning PartnerPartner

Learning Environment

• Paradigm shift from teaching to learning (Barr & Tagg, 1995)

• Moving from students as knowledge consumers to knowledge producers (Pellegrino & Altman, 1997)

• Ubiquitous access enhances learning achievement (Brown, 2003)

• Instructor interest (Vahey & Crawford, 2002)• Teachable moments (Soloway, Luchini,

Quintana and Norris, 2002; Bell, 2002; & Dede 2002)

Tools for Handhelds

Scientific Data Probes for Science

Veo Photo Digital Camera GPS Systems

Graphing Calculators

Presenter-To-Go

Hands-on Hands-on Learning ExperiencesLearning Experiences

Creating Custom WebPages for the Classroom: ISU Library on your

Handheld Computer

Handhelds as a Assessment Handhelds as a Assessment PartnerPartner

Standards-based curriculum

Technology Impact on Standards

Must be:

• Accessible

• Have multiple uses

• Simple to use

• Mobile

• Hopefully, even fun

What makes for good assessment?

• Allows for instructional differentiation and increases student achievement (Brophy & Good, 1986; Cotton 2000; Darling-Hammond, 2000)

• Feedback for instructional strategies (Berliner & Rosenshine, 1977; Brophy & Good, 1986; Johnson, 1997; Rosenshine & Stevens, 1986)

Technology’s Role in Assessment

• Tool to resolve testing expectations (Education Week, 2003)

• Quick and Reliable data analysis

• Immediate Access to data and results by teachers

For all of this to be helpful computing For all of this to be helpful computing must by ubiquitous.must by ubiquitous.

A Model for Handheld A Model for Handheld IntegrationIntegration

Competing Pressures

Candidates Prepared to Use Technology

Technology Driven Curriculum

Standards

Accreditation

Implementation ProcessImplementation ProcessThat is Dynamic and That is Dynamic and

Accommodating Accommodating

Window to the Core Activities of Instruction.

Case StudiesCase Studies

Two Teachers

• Introduced to handhelds in writer’s workshop.

• Both high school, language arts teachers.

• Over 20 years of teaching each.

• Not early adopters.

Teacher One

• Cross-country coach• Saw potential for writing on the road• Note-taking device• Access, access, access• Assessment of students• Data entry for coaching responsibilities

Teacher Two

• Writing poetry

• Access

• Classroom activities

• Peer-to-peer

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Questions?

Presentation located at:

http://coe.indstate.edu/powers/AECT/chicago.htm