Handheld devices popular in classrooms across America

From elementary schoolrooms to college campuses, the handheld device, like those made by Palm and Handspring, are fast becoming must-have educational tools.

Educators are excited about the possibilities that a handheld device brings to schools. Tony Vincent, an innovative fifth grade teacher in Omaha, Nebraska, has an entire web site devoted to his students’ experience with the devices. “Handheld computers have brought the classroom of my imagination into reality!” Vincent said. “The fun factor of handhelds provides motivation for all learners in my classroom.”

Numerous web sites, conferences and books are available for educators who want to incorporate handheld units as teaching and administrative tools. Teachers can use handhelds for everything from recording attendance, to storing student information, to beaming the class syllabus to students.

For students, entire textbooks can be stored. Imagine how nice it would be for chemistry students to have the periodic table always as at hand. The calendar and list functions available on handhelds can help students manage class schedules and assignments. A group of students who all have handhelds can easily collaborate on projects and share information.

In California, the Newport-Mesa Unified school district gave 1,100 middle school teachers and students handheld units to use at school. Students now turn in projects and homework via the handhelds.

As more students and school systems start using them, you can bet even more applications will be developed to keep up with the educational market. As Tony Vincent notes, “Handhelds are not just organizers. They are small computers that can do big things for learning.”

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About The Author:

Wendy Whittaker is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com. A cellular phone industry resource featuring articles, comparisons and reviews of cellular phone and service plans.

	Handheld Device
Handheld devices popular in classrooms across America