Pioneering Project at Ballard High Provides Students
with Handheld Devices, Increased Learning Opportunities
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Ballard High School Project? Click here.
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Ballard High is going high tech this semester. Students in Joe Kelly's
ninth grade Language Arts class will be provided with Handspring Visor Deluxe
handheld computers and educational software to use at school and at home. Other
teachers supporting the program include Amy Holmes, Dina McArdle,
Mollie Hackett, and Cassie Chinn.
Students will use the Visors to take notes in class, track homework
assignments, create outlines and write reports, share information, and
record their grades. They can also read novels and news, use an electronic
dictionary and thesaurus, and study for tests.
The project has been made possible by the joint efforts of PDA Verticals and
Handspring Inc., which donated half of the computers for the program, as well as
education-related Palm OS developers, and The Ballard High School Foundation.
"The Ballard High program is an excellent example of how educators and
organizations like PDA Verticals are integrating handheld computers into rich
opportunities for students and teachers alike," stated Susan Yost, Education
Markets Manager for Handspring. "Handspring is excited about supporting
dynamic classrooms that are embracing technology."
| The Plan: A Handheld in Every Student's Hand |
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Dr. Engle, Ballard High Principal, anticipates that students using the computers
will develop stronger organizational skills, improve academic achievement, and gain
valuable proficiency with technology. "I am committed to making technology available
to all students," said Dr. Engle. "We need to introduce technology into education early
and integrate it into the daily lives of students." The pilot project is intended to
generate data for a grant at the district level, then statewide.
Dr. Engle envisions having kiosks on campus for students to upload completed
assignments, download new homework, and retrieve current information from a
variety of sources. The infrastructure could then be replaced with wireless
networks that take advantage of wireless Springboard modules available for the Visor.
Terry Bergeson, Superintendent of Public Instruction, recently stated that
efforts like this "...are tremendous on a number of important levels. Students
who become proficient with technology have a substantial advantage upon entering
the working world."
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| Seattle Area Company Helps Realize the Vision |
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Dr. Engle selected Seattle area company PDA Verticals to supply the Ballard
High handhelds and software because of its expertise with education and technology,
industry relationships, and innovative customization process. It is the only company
that provides handhelds customized with pre-loaded software selected by the user.
Typically, users must purchase the device and software separately and install the software.
Students and educators at Ballard High will use the pdaED.com website to share
experiences in online discussion forums and publish assignments produced using their
handhelds. You can track the progress of the project, participate in lively discussions,
and learn more about handhelds in education on the website. PDA Verticals is also helping
teachers develop a curriculum that integrates the devices into all aspects of learning. Staff
members will help train students.
"We are excited to be involved in a project to improve academic achievement."
Said Chad Roberts, CEO of PDA Verticals. "The students participating will be
gaining life skills that will give them the confidence and ability to compete in
today's high tech world."
The Ballard High collection of educational software will be available on
customized, pre-loaded handheld computers for sale on pdaED.com in March 2001.
Parents, students, and educators in the US and Canada can select and configure
handheld computers, which will be shipped ready-to-use.
The Ballard High software package includes
QuizApp by PDA Verticals,
Thesaurus by DDH Software,
Four.Zero by HandMark,
powerOne Graph by Infinity Software,
BDicty Gold by Beiks, and
Teacher's PET by Coffee Pot Software.
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| For More Information |
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Email me when more information about the Ballard High School Handspring Visor
project becomes available.
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Email me when more information about Ballard High School customized handheld
computers and software packages are available from
pdaED.com.
Type your email
address in the box and click Submit.
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You can also contact us at comments@pdaed.com or
call at 425-820-2435.
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