Handheld computing is certainly not limited to just Palm and Windows Mobile computers. Let's look at some other handheld computers for students...
With podcasting and add-on voice recorders, iPods and other mp3 players (here's one for $50) are finding their way into classrooms. Apple provides lesson plans and resources for using iPods in education. iPod use is not limited to just audio–iPods can store calendar items, an address book, and text notes. Apple even has instructions on pushing these notes out to other iPods. I didn't realize it, but these notes can contain links to other text or audio files. Very cool.
Not yet released is Fourier Systems' Nova 5000. Fourier calls it a "learning applicance" that fills the gap between laptops and handhelds. It has a 10" color LCD display, USB ports, a card slot, built-in ports for data loggers, and runs a version of Windows Mobile. It's built for students and has a sturdy, rugged design. Supposedly the Novas 5000 will cost around $400 when finally released.
How about a laptop for $100? That's the goal of MIT's Nicholas Negroponte. The ultra-cheap laptop is green with a yellow hand crank (for recharging). It's being designed for ownership by children in developing nations with the hope of providing a laptop for every child on Earth. It has a 7 inch screen that swivels like a Tablet PC. It runs all open-source software to keep the costs very low. Andy Carvin has posted an 8-minute video online. He talks with the chief technology officer of the MIT project. Read more about this idea in A Laptop For Every Kid on Wired.com.
Leapfrog has been producing the iQuest Handheld for about two years. Retailing for $50, the iQuest Handheld is for children ten years and older. There are various game modes for students to use when studying subjects in school. In fact, LeapFrog has correlated content for the iQuest Handheld with major textbooks. You'll need to buy subject specific cartridges at $15 each.
Last month LeapFrog released its FLY Pentop Computer. It's not a desktop, laptop, or palmtop–it's a pen! The FLY uses special dot matrix paper ("FLY Paper") to read what a student writes. For instance, writing a "C" and then circling it starts calculator mode. With its built-in speaker (or optional ear buds) the pen will then instruct you to draw a calculator on paper. After drawing the calculator, just tap the buttons with the pen and then the FLY will tell you the answer. The FLY also has a scheduler and various games you can play. You can even draw a set of drums and keyboard and then play them! With additional cartridges ($25-$35), students can enter their own spelling words and practice them, translate words to and from Spanish, and work through multiplication and division problems. The FLY Pentop Computer is $99 and a 60 notebook of FLY Paper is $10. You've got to check out LeapFrog's online demo of the FLY. It really is an amazing piece of technology. However, for $99 you could get a Palm Z22.
There are so many ways to put learning in the hands of students. Heck, there's even a
cell phone that lets kids earn extra minutes by playing learning games. Currently, Palm and Windows Mobile computers seem to be the most versitile since they have computing platforms where anyone can development software. However, task-specific handhelds can be great learning tools as well. Whatever the "handheld," students are able to interact with content, organize information, and communicate with powerful devices that can fit in their hands.
Monday, November 21, 2005 at 7:07PM 
Reader Comments (7)
Great minds think alike! I just finished a blog talking about LeapFrog's Fly and Fourier System's Nova5000! I was thinking about talking about the $100 laptop, but alas!
I did hit on The Reading Pen. It looks pretty interesting.
http://specialeducator.us/?p=92
Nice work, as usual, Tony!
Outstanding work. I am consulting for a local school system in GA, and they are considering using a handheld solution with their foreign language classes.
Hi Tony,
I would be interested to see how many handheld users are actually using the Zire 71/72 voice feature as a recording device for Podcast.
It is great to record students on the fly reading and then email it to their parents. Any comments on this?
I heard through the grapevine that Palm was no longer going to make the camera/voice feature on the Zire. Do you know this to be true???
I guess we will need to start investing in iPods, which are cool and just as effective! But....we love our Palms!
Smiles!
Wendy G.
opps! the 71 does not have the voice memo feature!
WG
I love both features and hope they're continued in future models.
I use the voice memo feature for scavenger hunts clues and decoding secret messages with my daughters.
With the scavenger hunt I record the message, give the zire 72 to my daughter and they go and photograph the object.
Dale
Cool idea Dale....scavenger hunts and picture taking with the Zire 72 feature. I bet Santa could leave voice memos and better yet, classroom teachers could leave messages for their students too.
Wendy G.
http://www.districtadministration.com/page.cfm?p=1339
Above is a link for more info regarding the $100 Crank laptopn from District Administration. This free magazine OFTEN includes info and articles surrounding technology and the issues that building leaders (ALL leaders, not just administrators) must face regarding tech integration.
There are thousands of resources out there, but this is one that I go to on a regular basis to stay "in the know.""