Classroom Resources

Mobile Computing
updated 11/29/05

Handheld Computers | Laptops/Wireless Networks

• Education World® Technology in the Classroom
• Read the Evaluation Report from the Palm Education Pioneers Program.
• A Foothold for Handhelds from the American School Board Journal. (Sept 2003)
• 101 Great Educational Uses For Your Handheld Computer
• At Ease in the Handheld World
  (Sept 2001)
• Electronic School: Dick Tracy Goes Digital Educators take to personal digital assistants.
• Electronic School: Hands-On Learning March 2001
• Handhelds in Education: The Answer to 1-to-1 Computing? from eSchoolNews. (June 2003)
• Education World® Handhelds in the Classroom
• Palm Handhelds as Educational Power Tools Good ideas and links.
• Debating Merits of Palms in Class from Wired magazine.
• A Valuable Tool for Student Teachers from the George Lucas Foundation. (Sept 2001)

Software Resources

• GoKnow is pioneering the use of handhelds in the classroom. Check out their Learning @ Hand site.
• Grant Street Software makes software to help manage large groups of handhelds.
• Learning in the Palm of your Hand U of M's Center for Highly Interactive Computing in Education is developing free educational software for teachers and students.
• Tucows PDA
• Welcome to PalmGear.com!
• Welcome to Handango Software for both Palm OS and Pocket PC.
• Palm Applications in Education is a database of applications reviewed by teachers from
  the Concord Consortium.
• Palmspot.com is another software resource.
• palmOne
• Pocket PC Microsoft's site includes resources and software.
• FreewarePalm is a great place to search for free applications.

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• Bluefish Wireless allows handheld computers to receive info using Bluetooth or infrared.
• Clarinet Systems allows handhelds to HotSync through infrared access points in the school network.
• LandWare, Inc. makes the GoType! keyboards for handhelds.
• Now it's possible to connect Science Probes to your Palm to collect data. Check out these...
  • Vernier
  • ImagiProbe
  • Pasco
• Presenting with your handheld? Check out the Portsmith Pitch for Palm, Pitch Solo or Margi's Presenter-to-Go to connect your Palm to a projector.
• Pico Communications makes the PicoBlue bluetooth access point.
• Need to repair your PDA? Visit PDAparts.com.
• Projection Keyboards...virtual keyboards that work on any surface!
• Think Outside is the creator of the Stowaway keyboard for handhelds.
• Tribeam also uses IR to allow handheld devices to access the local network or Internet.
• WideRay makes a device called the Jack, a device that uses infrared technology to transmit information and applications to handheld devices.
• Enfora has come out with the Wireless Portfolio for Palm handheld computers.
• Want wireless? The Wi-Fi SD card from SanDisk is now available. So is the palmOne SD card.
• Veo makes the Photo Traveler, a camera that plugs into the SD slot of a Palm handheld.

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• AlphaSmart has created a new PalmOS tool called the Dana, complete with keyboard and wide screen.
• Use AvantGo to download web page "channels" to your handheld device.
• Free eBooks for use on a variety of computing devices.
• Handheld Devices in the Classroom also has some info on using GPS as well as handheld computer links.
• Handheld Computers as Mindtools This site has software, but more importantly discusses uses and applications of handheld devices.
• Handheld Learning This site is redesigned with lots of info, software suggestions, and critical questions to ask about using handheld computers in the classroom.
• Handheld Education contains a lot of good info, resources, and suggestions.
• ImagiWorks Products allow Palms to be used as mobile sensors to record light, temperature,voltage, or pH. Data can be exported to a PC or Mac.
• Turn your handheld computer into a GPS. Visit GPS Pilot. For more information on using
  GPS receivers, visit our GPS page.
• K12 Handhelds is a company that "provides schools with integrated solutions for handheld
  use in education." Looks interesting!
• KPBSD Palm Page Resources and Ideas for teachers and administrators.
• Learning @ Hand contains software reviews, lesson plans, and discussion boards for teachers.
• Learning With Handhelds is a site from Intel Corp. with general info.
• Mr. Vincent's 5th Grade Classroom is using PDAs. See how.
• PDAs in Education from the Kentucky Migrant Technology Project.
• PDA Participatory Simulations Cool software from MIT.
• ProbeSight! The Concord Consortium provides information on using Palms and probes.
• Palm lesson plans from Arkansas Tech University.
• Power in the Palm of Your Hand Links for using Palm handheld computers.
• SchoolPalm provides software and hardware that assists in administration tasks and parent
  communication.
• Quizzler Pro is quiz taking software for Palm and PocketPC devices.
• Wireless Generation has developed reading assessment tools to use with handheld computers.

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• Australia: Leading with Laptops from Technology and Learning.
• Desktop or Laptop? What to consider.
• The Unwired Classroom an article from the online journal, From Now On.
• Laptops for all at junior high
• Laptop Lessons: Exploring the Promise of One-to-One Computing from Technology and Learning.
• Learning from Laptops from Cable in the Classroom Online. (Fall 2003)
• Wireless vs. Hardwired Networking in Schools
• Tablet Computing...The Next Big Thing from eSchoolNews.
• Parents question district's voluntary laptop program Looks at equity issues when laptops are offered to students.
• Wireless as a Networking Solution

• AlphaSmart is a wireless keyboard that can send word processed documents to the classroom PC or printer. At around $200, every student can have one to take notes, write reports, or practice keyboarding.
• Anytime, Anywhere Learning A project supported by Microsoft.
• Bretford manufactures carts for laptop labs.
• The iBook Wireless Mobile Lab from Apple.Their Airport is a relatively painless way to go wireless.
• The DreamWriter is similar to the AlphaSmart system--a wireless word processor for about the same price. Very versatile.
• Earthwalk Communications offer several solutions focusing on their NetWize cart and eBuddy laptop.
• EduTek provides wireless LAN setup and support.
• Dell is also offering a wireless lab package.
• How to Handle Laptop Batteries and Chargers
• Mobile Wireless Lab from Gateway.
• NetSchools provides wireless laptop solutions.
• Laptop Learning Challenge This site includes laptop lesson plans, classroom management, and more!
• Wireless Networking in a K-12 Setting from the Arizona State Public Information Network.