University Gives Palms to Students

The University of South Dakota (USD) of Vermillion will provide Palm handheld computers to all first-year undergraduate students as well as first-year law and medical school students. The initiative takes place beginning with the 2001-2002 academic year and affects approximately 1,300 students.

USD is working with Palm to implement the program and to select a suite of software applications for use in student coursework. The USD Foundation is underwriting most of the cost of the handhelds. Students will bear a portion of the cost through a small assessment during four semesters.

At a news conference, USD President James W. Abbott said, "The University of South Dakota students live in a mobile society. We must provide a learning environment using the latest technology so our students can take advantage of the benefits of anytime, anywhere learning to better prepare for the future. Palm's mobile technology enables us to extend learning beyond the walls of classrooms.

"Another benefit is that Palm handhelds can be loaded with applications, such as financial calculators, reference books, literature books, coursework organizers and word processors, so we can considerably lighten the 20-pound backpack that the typical student lugs around," Abbott said. "We look forward to working with Palm to develop more and better ways to enhance the educational experience of our students and the teaching experience for our faculty."

Mike Lorion, Palm's vice president of education, said, "Palm handhelds are a great match for today's students because they epitomize their mobile lifestyle."

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Palm's to students

I.M. Anonymous @ 5/5/2001 10:19:03 AM #
When colleges started allowing students to use handheld calculators it was the signal for that technology to take off. Next it was portable computors. Is this the signal for wide spread use of Palm's?

RE: Palm's to students
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/5/2001 11:45:32 AM #
At the Med School where I work, we've been giving incoming students some for of handhelds for the past 4 years (started with CE Jornada's, lately 5x's and it's looking like Kyocera 6035's this year). One thing we've noticed is that when the students get them, all the doctors have to have them as well. These med students do rotations through various local hospitals, and it's uncanny: 2 weeks after the students get the units, we're getting calls left and right from doctors wanting to know where they can get one.

So yeah, I think there is a trickle down effect. It won't only be the teachers and profs as USD who see these: it'll be the students parents, friends, etc.

RE: Palm's to students
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/5/2001 8:09:19 PM #
I wish they would use these not only in College but in High School. I know a few people in my school that have them and they prefer it over standard paper and pencil only because it is digital and they can transfer it to the computer when they get home. I use WordSmith and that saves me SO much time...BlueNomad did a great job making a program to transfer RTF files back to the computer, then you can edit it, and transfer it back.

Cool idea!!

Andrew Catron @ 5/5/2001 3:44:50 PM #
I think the USD has a great idea. I am currently a junior at Murray State University and just recently purchased a Palm lllc. I think that handhelds are a big advantage for today's college students.

cool

Sean @ 5/5/2001 7:28:03 PM #
I think its a great idea

High School

Matt @ 5/5/2001 8:23:59 PM #
The high school that I attend began offering Palms to teachers and students for classroom use at the begenning of the school year. Many peole have found them useful in science classes, some people use them to keep track of their assignments. Many teachers also distribute homework and accept it using the Palms. The school also provides IR printers for each classroom and is looking into IR internet access for next year. You can read more about the program at the district's web site: http://www.d230.org

Great Idea!

robert @ 5/6/2001 9:48:09 PM #
I only wish the Palm & Handspring units had been available when I was in college!

Great for students!

Josh @ 5/7/2001 12:22:46 PM #
I bought a Palm IIIxe recently for uni use. It turned out to be the best thing I have ever bought! All students should have one.

[ No Subject ]

Martin Marais @ 5/8/2001 2:24:27 AM #
I think this is awesome for students. We need to utilise technology. Id like to know which school Matt goes to, i want to enroll...

Great!

Rambhau Kenkare @ 5/8/2001 2:41:41 AM #
fantastic idea. I hope all universities follow suit.

great idea

chris @ 5/8/2001 10:49:59 AM #
i am currently a university student and I could not work without my Visor. I applaud USD for their innovative move.

Handing out palms?

decay6 @ 5/8/2001 12:22:40 PM #
I could see this working as long as the students didn't have a way to add software to the Palms. Otherwise you're going to have distracted kids playing games in class.

Its a great idea

Carlos Chavez @ 5/8/2001 1:29:23 PM #
To give the students a PDA will make they simply get more of their university by carrying all the information with they.

[ No Subject ]

Eugene - SGP @ 5/10/2001 7:20:15 AM #
I think that's a great idea! I'm currently working & studying part-time and having a PDA around is such a godsend. Before then, I have always run out of space on my filofax for appts., etc. And keeping schedules is crazy. I fully support this idea though I'm in Singapore.
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