September 2003 — Industry Perspective
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Educational PDA Games Engage Students, Teach Essential Language Skills
Teachers frown upon students playing their Nintendo Game Boys at school, but another kind of
handheld gadget is increasingly becoming accepted, encouraged and often provided by the school: PDAs. This is because handheld computers are a much less expensive alternative to laptop or desktop PCs for each student.
While schools that have deployed a large number of PDAs to students might also be providing a number of productivity applications useful in a school setting (e.g., word processor, homework planner, time-table reminder, printing utilities, etc.), they can also include some fun, yet educational, games for the PDAs. Why not grab students' attention with a PDA game, while simultaneously teaching him or her valuable lessons in vocabulary and spelling.
Alternative Teaching Methods
To keep up in today's ever-changing world, teachers are more often than not faced with the challenge of developing alternative teaching methods to motivate students in learning basic subjects. It is a challenge to find new ways to engage students in a manner that both holds their attention and teaches them essential skills. Word games on PDAs are one such solution, providing "game play" that students enjoy, while also honing their language and vocabulary skills.
Inundated with computers, handheld gadgetry, the Internet, video games and various other technologies, today's students are effortlessly merging into the same fast-paced, mainstream pattern accepted and even encouraged by our culture. It's no secret that many children spend more time playing video games than they do working on their homework when they are outside of the school environment, and that's even before considering television. It's no wonder that educators often become frustrated in their attempts to maintain student attention. How can reading, writing and arithmetic compete with all of the diversions that beckon from beyond the classroom walls?
PDAs in the Classroom
Handhelds and organizers are increasing in popularity - fast becoming an affordable alternative to desktop PCs and laptops. With a host of educational software and portable keyboards available, these devices have become modern high-tech motivational tools for students and educators alike. Some schools have already incorporated these mobile computing technologies on a widespread basis, occasionally using grant funds to obtain PDAs for students or adding the handheld devices to school supply lists, while others provide them in exchange for small rental fees.
Teachers find the devices helpful for classroom management and organization of daily tasks. Given their small size, portability is not an issue. Also, their ability to access information without waiting for a laptop to boot is a big time-saver. Students use PDAs to take notes, track grades and assignments, share information, and even complete homework. In addition, PDAs assist students in developing stronger organizational skills, while concurrently providing them a means to improve their technological efficiency.
A multitude of educational applications exist for PDAs, and companies are sometimes known to donate software for educational purposes or provide them at reduced rates based on quantity.
