Comments on: Kansas Schools Order Another 2,300 Palm’s http://www.digitaltrends.com/lifestyle/kansas-schools-order-another-2300-palms/ Upgrade Your Lifestyle Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:36:18 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Ian Bell http://www.digitaltrends.com/lifestyle/kansas-schools-order-another-2300-palms/#comment-53451 Ian Bell Tue, 18 Jul 2006 08:28:57 +0000 #comment-53451 I can see both points actually. I think it's great to introduce technology into the classroom, as long as it's being put to good use. I like the idea of being able to download eBooks etc, but I do not buy that people are using them for spreadsheets or word processing. <br /> <br /> As for stealing, I assume that the teachers are using a method in which students must "check out" the PDA for use and return it at a specified time. <br /> <br /> It's nice to see a school district invest in their schools, it's all too often that you hear about budget cuts, layoffs etc. I can see both points actually. I think it's great to introduce technology into the classroom, as long as it's being put to good use. I like the idea of being able to download eBooks etc, but I do not buy that people are using them for spreadsheets or word processing.

As for stealing, I assume that the teachers are using a method in which students must “check out” the PDA for use and return it at a specified time.

It's nice to see a school district invest in their schools, it's all too often that you hear about budget cuts, layoffs etc.

]]> By: Tony http://www.digitaltrends.com/lifestyle/kansas-schools-order-another-2300-palms/#comment-53450 Tony Tue, 18 Jul 2006 08:21:10 +0000 #comment-53450 Actually, this is a fantastic idea! Schools around the country are using handhelds (Palm and Pocket PC) as a learning tool. Not only great for word processing (with a keyboard), but there are dozens of great (and many of them are free) software programs for teachers and students. There is even scientifically based research showing that students using handhelds are learning better: <a href="http://goknow.com/sbr/" title="http://goknow.com/sbr/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://goknow.com/sbr/</a><br /> <br /> Schools are not finding lost or stolen handhelds to be a problem. Students really do take care of their handhelds because they are very personal learning devices. And, as for cheating, good classroom management can curb that. Plus, handhelds are not usually allowed to be out during tests, so it's not a big concern. Actually, this is a fantastic idea! Schools around the country are using handhelds (Palm and Pocket PC) as a learning tool. Not only great for word processing (with a keyboard), but there are dozens of great (and many of them are free) software programs for teachers and students. There is even scientifically based research showing that students using handhelds are learning better: http://goknow.com/sbr/

Schools are not finding lost or stolen handhelds to be a problem. Students really do take care of their handhelds because they are very personal learning devices. And, as for cheating, good classroom management can curb that. Plus, handhelds are not usually allowed to be out during tests, so it's not a big concern.

]]> By: Barry http://www.digitaltrends.com/lifestyle/kansas-schools-order-another-2300-palms/#comment-53449 Barry Mon, 17 Jul 2006 16:02:22 +0000 #comment-53449 This is the dumbest purchase I have ever seen. Obviously this chic has the hots for the Palm salesman, why else would they spend money on these? Talk about a liability too! It will let kids cheat more without getting caught and I am sure some of them will be stolen too. This is the dumbest purchase I have ever seen. Obviously this chic has the hots for the Palm salesman, why else would they spend money on these? Talk about a liability too! It will let kids cheat more without getting caught and I am sure some of them will be stolen too.

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