A Successful Experiment with Palms in the Classroom

There is an interesting article in Wired on how a school district in Illinois is integrating 2,200 Palm IIIxe's into its curriculum. Students use the handhelds to take notes, gather data during science experiments, and write papers.

The experiment is going so well they are expanding it next year. "This is going to be the dominant technology that students use at school," said Darrell Walery, director of technology for the district.

This year, students can buy a Palm for $225, lease one for $75, or only use the device while at school. However, the teachers weren't satisfied with the progress of the students who only used the IIIxe at school. "The kids didn't get used to them as fast," Laura Ritchey, a science teacher, said. "They didn't make as much progress as fast as those who own them." Next year, certain classes will require students to buy or lease a Palm. Financial aid will be available.

Palm is strongly encouraging the use of its handhelds in schools. Back in October, they announced the Palm Education Pioneers program that awards grants of Palm handhelds to K-12 teachers and their students, which will let the teachers incorporate Palms into their lessons and give them to every student in their class.