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September 1, 2004
TECHNOLOGY: Keeping the upper hand with handhelds
As BoardBuzz has noted before, we think technologically savvy board members can make better decisions on technology issues for their schools. If board members are going to lead their communities and prepare all students to succeed in a rapidly changing global society, staying abreast of technological innovations and-better yet-modeling wise uses of technology is a huge advantage.
NSBA has followed issues related to one-to-one computing and handheld devices as they relate to student achievement over the years, but changes and improvements to these inventions are rapid, and school board members hoping to keep pace must keep a scan of the trends. Now, we know if you're a BoardBuzz regular, then you are hip and cool and probably know most of this already, but just in case ... here's a quick run down to give you the upper-hand on handhelds:
- Many school board members find handhelds a wonderful tool to increase personal productivity.
- School boards will need to ensure that policies are in place to manage the use, and sometimes misuse, of these tools.
- Handhelds can be a cost effective tool to engage kids in learning in ways that are creative and student-centered.
- Principals, teachers, and students (this link is to a Quicktime movie) have found handheld devices an effective way to extend learning beyond the classroom walls.
If you have time to explore these resources, you will read about the work of Elliott Soloway and the work he is doing at the University of Michigan to increase the understanding and use of handheld devices. Soloway will present at the
T+L2 conference in Denver on Oct. 27-29, on how these tools can create a knowledge-worker's environment and integrate well with existing classroom technology. For an
extended session on the topic, arrive a day early for a three-hour, hands-on workshop to understand the growing impact of handheld devices on instruction.
Posted September 1, 2004 12:00 AM
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