Handheld Computer Activity Suggestions

Organizing and Planning
Reference Information
Data Gathering

Data Manipulation and Display
Individual Learning
Communicating and Collaboration

Organizing and Planning

create a daily log and calculate per cent of time per activity
planning a team project including individual tasks, work dates, and presentation duties
organizing the bibliography for a research paper by scanning the ISBN bar codes
design a world trip that includes a schedule of different times zones, expense account, distances covered between countries, etc.
track daily activity and exercise (heart rate, food intake, etc.) for a week
create diversity inventory of local trees, critters, etc. using bar codes

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Reference Information

compare and analyze topographical maps of your region
plan a field trip with a local street atlas
search a library of famous quotes and sayings
translate an e-mail or letter from a foreign pen pal
research web pages that pertain to the solar system or the Civil War or...
use a thesaurus and word spell to enhance your writing

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Data Gathering

create a personal field guide of familiar locations
design and perform a on-the-spot survey
map your location with portable GPS during a field study
record bird sounds throughout the day
compare real-time graphs of a low-g accelerometer while on a roller coaster in the front and back seats
collect your pulse rate while bicycling up and down hills
track local athletic events and statistics
record and graph changing light conditions with a solar cell and voltmeter throughout the day
collect a time lapse video of movements of ants during the day

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Data Manipulation and Display

display functions on graphing calculator
use a document reader and editor to create a report
gather interview information, chart it, and view percentages
scan bar codes of products in local stores and find the cost of a standard market basket
sketch and paint your local stream during different seasons
create a photo album of your siblings as they grow up
chart local weather conditions as they change with the seasons
annotate sketches or photos of an investigation
create a timeline of events during World War II

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Individual Learning

design and use a self-evaluative student checklist for assessment
create self-quizzes with flashcards or multiple choice or true-or-false questions
read a book below a tree in the park or on a sail boat or...
keep track of questions or thoughts throughout the day to explain your own thought models
share progress reports between your teacher and your parents
produce a student portfolio of your best achievements during a year

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Communicating and Collaboration

beam activity notes to partner or group members
control relays (IR) for robots or appliances in greenhouses or fish hatcheries
moving unwanted fish in your simulated pond to your partner's pond
transfer homework and assignments to your teacher
jointly write a story with team members
read and share ideas about selected articles from the web
become a historical figure and share clues about a historical figure between group members until they guess who you are
share graphs and charts of an investigation

The following book discusses the rationale for handhelds in today's learning environments and gives educators detailed practical applications employing this technology for the above categories:

Changing How We Teach and Learn With Handheld Computers by Carolyn Staudt

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