Handheld Educators Leadership Program: Handhelds in the Hands of Learners Lynn A. Elder Marsha Gladhart WSU College of Education

Project M 3 PT3—Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers to Use Technology Models, Mentors and Mobility Handhelds evolved as key component

Project M 3 Faculty, staff and student use Handheld lab Graduate level workshop Handhelds for all COE faculty

Wichita Public Schools Personal use by technology support providers Student models at conferences and workshops Aligned with Instructional Technology Department Mission

Wichita Public Schools Palm Users Group  initiated September 2001  meet monthly Handheld Advisory Group  initiated January 2002  teacher, administrator and university representation  study use of handheld computers in classroom

Handheld Computer Learning Proposal Product of Handheld Advisory Group Finalized June 2002 Framework for implementing handheld computers Included budget, timeline and participant selection parameters

How we got started… Technology Integration Projects (TIPS)  Project M 3 activity  Teachers met regularly with Project M 3 instructors  Web-based units aligned to standards  Focused on subject areas and grade level  Model for handheld integration project

Why handhelds? 1:1 equitable access Conveniently available 24/7 Low support requirements Easy to use Real world tool Improve learning

H.E.L.P. is born Partnership between Wichita State University and the Wichita school district Both organizations provide support Both organizations responsible for managing the project

H.E.L.P. mission Cultivate teacher-leaders Develop standards-based lessons using handheld technology Integrate handheld technology into content learning

H.E.L.P. design 4 classroom sets of 25 handheld computers 4 full day workshops Funding for substitute teachers Biweekly 2 hour workshops Budget to purchase handheld software & accessories

Participant selection 2 elementary, 1 middle, 1 high school Interest in using handheld computers in classroom Strong administrative support 3 additional schools “selected themselves”

Participant responsibilities Attend training sessions Implement handhelds in non-technology classes Prepare and use lesson plans Share experiences

Participant responsibilities Final Showcase presentation in May Conference participation encouraged

How we operate No paper—information online or on Palms Technology use modeled— Blackboard, wireless, videoconferencing Teamwork Group norms established Hands-on exploration

How we operate Self determination:  Classroom deployment  Student use  Subject area  Additional hardware  Software choices

Full day training Out-of-the-box training Classroom management Models of deployment Resources and web sites

Full day training Downloading software Documents to Go PEP grant findings Collaboration and sharing

Full day training Video conference with Elliott Soloway Sharing lesson plans

Feedback from teachers Exhilarating to be among Palm users. I am ready to bring in my students A chance to meet with colleagues about similar ideas and issues using Palms in the classroom. Time to play and search for Palm software

Feedback from teachers I want to have more actual software downloads and evaluations I like the time we have to focus on technology These day long workshops are better than the two-hour ones

Challenges Disparate skill levels Different levels of adoption Teaching styles Using Blackboard Making the meetings Technical problems Communication

Where are we now Lesson plans are being used H.E.L.P. web site Developing lesson plan database Developing final project action plan

What we are learning Work in progress Data Strengthened K12-higher education ties Model of implementation

Lynn A. Elder Marsha A. Gladhart, Ph.D. H.E.L.P.