Peronal Digital Assistance is a handheld computer or "handheld". They are used in the classroom as tools for instruction and they positively impact students motivation. They are good organizing mechanisms because they have tools such as calender, task, and memo tools. High end handhelds can include cameras, audio recordin, usb port, and even GPS systems. All of these will help to make the student more creative when dealing with any lesson.
Online surveys are another tool that is available for us in the classroom. We use online survey tools to be able to have collection opportunities across the corriculum. These tools range in functionality, ease of use, and cost. Community groups or organizations vould be used to identify potential respondents. For example students may hold a survey over an area of interest of their own. When students create surveys they engage in learning that is intentional and authentic. Identifying the purope of the survey, making decisions is all part of surveying. Two good rules for writing surveys are to find the correct survey to conduct in your classroom and secondly to formulate well designed questions.
Both of these tools will help your children in your classroom to learn and open their minds to technology. These tools also help you as the teacher to be able to teach a lesson more efficiently to your classroom.
References: Meaningful Learning With Technology. David Jonassen University of Missouri, Jane Howland University of Missouri, Rose Marra University of Missouri, David Crismond University of Missouri. 29-37
I like what you said about how the PDA'S would stimulate the childs motivation in wanting to learn. I feel that class room attention spans are growing lower because students know what type of technology rest on the outside of the facilties they attented everyday.
ReplyDeleteI think that surveys in the classroom would be very beneficial, especially if the students had to make them. I think that one of the most important thing to remember when making a survey is to avoid bias. We can't let our own opinions get in the way.
ReplyDeleteAimee McDurmon
I also like what you said about handheld devices stimulating creativity. It is a very stirring argument and one that I feel resonates very strongly with me.
ReplyDelete