Executive Summary:
A Guide to Handheld Computing in K-12 Schools

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A Guide to Handheld Computing in K-12 Schools is the second report by CoSN's Emerging Technologies Committee. Based upon extensive research and interviews with educators, administrators, and industry experts, the 60-page report evaluates handheld computers and their applications in education and administration, assesses their strengths and weaknesses, offers advice about implementing handhelds in K-12 schools, and reports on lessons learned by early adopters. The report can be purchased through CoSN's online Catalog.

Much of the report focuses on ways in which handhelds are used in K-12 education, administration, and decision making. Like other professionals, growing numbers of administrators in school districts are using productivity tools available in handhelds to provide instant access to student and other information, for calendaring and group scheduling, to take notes and pictures while observing teachers in classrooms.

Teachers also find handhelds useful for classroom management and assessment: to take attendance, retrieve student information, take notes in class, assess student performance. When handhelds are networked, teachers can distribute assignments and collect students' work, and give tests and get aggregated results instantly, providing valuable feedback.

Handhelds are beginning to show promise as computing devices that enhance teaching and learning. The report surveys ways in which handhelds are used for collaborative writing and peer editing, to collect scientific data in the field using probes and sensors, to practice skills, map concepts, and compile electronic portfolios.

Growing numbers of schools are evaluating handhelds because their low cost makes them a viable solution for one-to-one computing initiatives - that is, where every student has a computer - which many educators believe are essential for technology to be integrated effectively into K-12 education. Also, when handhelds have wireless capability and are networked, their mobility makes possible anywhere, anytime learning.

The report discusses challenges when handhelds are implemented in a classroom, school, or district, including distribution and management models, policies governing breakage and inappropriate uses, and especially the need for a well-conceived plan that articulates how the use of handhelds will further a school's educational goals and their role in its overall technology plan. Though handhelds are relatively inexpensive to purchase, the report evaluates other things that must be considered when estimating their total cost of ownership, such as additional hardware, software, peripherals, and training.

Handhelds are not without problems. Do they have sufficient functionality and power; are they durable enough; are their screens too small? Of considerable concern is the limited number of educational applications available today and the uncertainty of the handheld market, that is, questions about whether companies will manufacture handhelds and software for them that are appropriate for K-12 schools.

Nonetheless, handhelds have many strengths, especially their low cost, small size, and mobility, and they are cool - they motivate students to learn, instill confidence, promote collaboration. In the end, the report argues that handhelds offer productivity tools that are essential to effective school leadership, and when aligned with sound educational strategies, can actively engage students in their own education and lead to measurable improvements in student achievement

A Guide to Handheld Computing in K-12 Schools provides an unbiased, up-to-date source of information that will help teachers and administrators evaluate whether to acquire handhelds, how they may be used in education and administration, and what to consider when implementing handhelds in K-12 schools.

Summary of the contents:

• Handheld technologies, focusing on Palm OS and Pocket PC devices
• Options and peripherals, including probes, sensors, cameras, etc.
• Instructional and administrative applications
• Networked connectivity and management
• Training, professional development, and technical support
• Advice about implementation, including total cost of ownership
• Policies and rules governing use of handhelds in schools
• Strengths and weaknesses of handhelds
• Appendix 1: Graphing calculators
• Appendix 2: A directory of resources for handhelds
• Appendix 3: Case studies of schools using handhelds

About the Emerging Technologies Committee

The Emerging Technologies Committee (ETC) was formed by CoSN in October 2002. The ETC's mission is to identify emerging technologies and innovative applications of them that have potential value to enhance K-12 teaching and learning and/or school administration and decision making, and to educate people responsible for technology management and decision making at the district and state levels about not only the value of emerging technologies and their applications in K-12 education, but also issues associated with implementing and owning emerging technologies in school districts, including technical issues, training, and the total cost of ownership.

The ETC's members are drawn from schools and school-based organizations, not-for-profit organizations, and for-profit corporations, and information for its reports is gathered from both the public and private sectors. The ETC produces two reports a year, providing a valuable source of unbiased, up-to-date information about emerging technologies and their role in K-12 education. Its first report, A Guide to Wireless LANs in K-12 Schools was released in November 2003, and its third report, on Hot Technologies in K-12 Education, will be released in November 2004.

About the Consortium for School Networking

The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), a national non-profit organization, is the premier voice in education technology leadership. Our mission is to advance the K-12 education community's capacity to effectively use technology to improve learning through advocacy, policy and leadership development. Our members represent school districts, state and local education agencies, nonprofits, companies and individuals who share our vision.

See also:

• Slides from the Press Conference announcing the Handheld Report (PDF)

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