PDA - Technology related ?

[horseshowmom]

Okay, I admit that I'm totally clueless in this area, so I'm asking for help from some of you Dis experts.

I'm a grant coordinator which means I spend a fair amount of money on technology. So far, I know enough about what I've bought that I either know what I'm doing or know who to ask to get an answer.

BUT, now something's come up that I need help with. Some of our teachers (one of whom is my DH) are interested in using PDA's (or maybe something else would be better - they don't know much about them either) to track student behavior in their classrooms. Right now, they do it with paper, and they'd like to use technology instead.

These teachers currently use technology a great deal in their classrooms (and their test scores are waaaayyyyy above the others), so I try to get them what they want to make their jobs easier.

Can anybody advise me in this area? TIA!!!

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I am so old. PDA stil means Public Display of Affection to me.

 

[lindakmonty]

That's what I thought too... oops...sorry!

 

[horseshowmom]

I am so old. PDA stil means Public Display of Affection to me.

Well, considering my DH is one of these teachers (and the only male, at that), they'd better be REEEAAALL careful if that's what they're talking about!

(Title now edited for clarity! )

 

[Quinn222]

I use a Dell Axim and love it. It runs PPC not Palm so they could use pocket excel, word, Outlook etc., pocket databases. My whole life is on mine.

 

[Honu]

Do they not have computer access in their classrooms?

I have a Blackberry and a Treo, but I don't use them when a computer is available. They are for remote access only.

 

[CathrynRose]

Be sure NOT to go with the Pocket PC versions... i.e. IPaq.

We have nothing but trouble trying to troubleshoot them.

Stay with the Blackberrys &/or Treo's.

But as another poster mentioned - theyre really for "on the go" as opposed to when youre near a PC.

 

[horseshowmom]

Do they not have computer access in their classrooms?

I have a Blackberry and a Treo, but I don't use them when a computer is available. They are for remote access only.

Yes, they do, but they had someone tell tham about how useful these were for this purpose. I hate to be vague, but this is secondhand info to them (which makes it thirdhand to me). I'm hoping somebody has utilized a PDA in this way and can give me some useful info.

 

[Honu]

I can't imagine how they would be more useful than a PC. If there wasn't computer access or computer access was difficult, then they might be useful.

Employers generally supply PDAs to employees for communication purposes. My units have email, phone book, calendar, text message, games and cell phone service. The Treo has some additional features and applications that some might use for business, like Excel, etc., but I find them to be too slow.

I think the kids want toys.

 

[horseshowmom]

I think the kids want toys.

That's entirely possible (DH's probably the biggest kid of all!)!