Independent Study Outline:
Uses and Programming of PDAs for Education

Student: William Martin
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Paul J. Bardis, Elementary Education Program
Credits: Three (3)

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Handheld computers are one of the most recent trends in technology. Their popularity appears to be a result of people having a need to record and access data quicker than was possible by larger computers. The programs and uses so far have mostly been directed at helping individuals and businesses access and present various forms of communication, media, personal entertainment, and organizational tools. Despite their popularity, and obvious potential to aid in learning, information and programs directed at educational uses is currently limited. Therefore a need exists to explore the possible uses PDAs have in the learning process and to develop programs to address education.

RATIONALE
This project will address the presented problem by researching the usefulness of PDAs for education and by producing one program to fulfill that need.

OBJECTIVES

• By the completion of the semester the student will:
  • research education and technology journals and related internet sites and identify and categorize the educational usefulness/need of PDAs
  • learn how to make programs using the Palm operating system and produce one program which will address an educational need.

PROCEDURE

• meet every other week with the instructor to discuss project and to assess the student's progress
• independently utilize the library and internet to review relevant and related literature
• independently learn how to program for a Palm operating system
• present the finished project to the instructor by the end of the current semester

METHOD OF REPORTING/EVALUATION

• biweekly meetings with instructor and oral presentations of material learned
• written review of literature and software
• presentation of final project to instructor
• letter grade to be given based on the quality of the final projects (literature review / need assessment and program)