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Hertfordshire Handheld Learning Pilot Project Case Study Handheld Technology at St Lukes School Using Tablet PCs in a Small School
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What is Handheld Learning?

Often referred to as mLearning (mobile learning,) Handheld Learning refers to the use of mobile technologies in teaching and learning. Using smaller and more mobile technologies gives the potential to equip each learner with a device, which can accompany them anywhere. This makes learning more personalised, extends learning beyond the classroom and gives the user greater independence in their learning.

Over the last few years there has been an increasing amount of interest and research into the benefits of using handheld devices in, and out of, schools.

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Why Handheld Learning?

It is estimated that 90% of teenagers own some sort of personal media device. This may be an MP3 player, mobile phone, PSP etc. It is a technology that young people know and enjoy. They use them for entertainment, to communicate, to create and to share.

However, on the whole these devices are banned in schools. Many educators are now asking whether these mobile technologies can aid teaching and learning, and should actually be embraced rather than discouraged. When compared with ‘traditional’ ICT, handheld devices are of lower cost, can be used anywhere and everywhere, 24/7. Consider the impact on learning of a personal device that accompanies a learner throughout the school day and then goes home with him/her, where the learning can continue.

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Which Devices are Being Used?

PDA:
Personal Digital Assistant. This is a small handheld computer that usually runs a mobile version of Windows or an operating system called Palm.

EDA:
Educational Digital Assistant. This is a ruggedised PDA with pre-installed educational software, a built in camera and screen protector, specifically aimed at the education market.

Smartphone:
A cross between a mobile phone and a PDA. Usually runs the Windows Mobile operating system.



Mobile Phone:
Most phones now come with cameras, MP3 players, calendars, calculators, note pads and other tools.



PSP:
Sony Playstation Portable. This is a handheld gaming device but has very powerful multimedia capabilities, the option to add a camera, an MP3 and video player, an integrated web browser and other features.



iPod:
Apple’s MP3 player that can do so much more than just play MP3s.




Ultra-Mobile PCs: Updated
Laptops and Tablet PCs are getting smaller and smaller.

• More information on these devices

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What Can be Done with them?

Depending on the device used, handheld technologies can be used for many different purposes across the curriculum.

Examples include:

• Storing documents and information to be accessible to you wherever you are.
• Taking and storing photographs and videos to support visual learning.
• Downloading teacher-made personalised resources from the school network to work on individually.
• Using specific education software on the handheld device.
• Accessing the Internet.
• Reading and/or creating eBooks.
• Downloading and listening to podcasts.
• Emailing and texting (eg an SMS quiz.)
• Creating documents, spreadsheets, graphs etc.
• Watching and reviewing videos at the individuals own pace.
• Write onto a PDA and use handwriting recognition to convert it into text.
• Use GPS for location based activities.

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What is Going on Around the Country?

There have been a number of research projects and innovative pilots around the country. To read about some of these, follow these links: [please set to open in new window]

• Wolverhampton Mobile Learning
• Aston Pride PDA Project

• Bristol ‘Hand-e Learning’
• Barking and Dagenham PDA project

• Learning Everywhere project

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What is Going on in Hertfordshire? Updated

St. Lukes School in Redbourn has piloted the use of Sony Playstation Portables (PSPs). You can read the case study here.

Wilbury Junior School in Letchworth are running a year long pilot from September 2008 in Year 6, evaluating how handheld technologies can support Literacy and KS2 to KS3 transition. The school have information and a blog about this pilot on their website:

• www.wilbury.herts.sch.uk (Use the link on the left of the page)

Handheld Technologies Presentation

Download a powerpoint presentation about handheld learning, delivered at the 2007 E2BN Conference by John Warwick (Deputy, St. Lukes School) and Chris Carter (eDevelopments Adviser.)

• PowerPoint 2003, 182kb/13 slides, 11/07/2007, handheld_learning.ppt
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Considerations

A lot of issues need to be taken into account before embarking on a handheld learning project.

Consider:

• What you want to achieve through implementing the use of mobile devices.
• The focus of the project / pilot.
• Whether you have the support of the SLT and other colleagues.
• Which device(s) you will choose.
• The size of the project / pilot.
• Technical Support for the devices.
• Your wireless network infrastructure.
• Funding

Download a list of essential considerations for handheld/mobile learning new

• Word 2003, 44kb/2 pages, 02/07/2009, essential_considerations.doc

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Video Links

Teachers’ TV has some good videos on handheld learning, which look at some current uses of mobile technologies.

• PDAs in Secondary Science
• Dudley PDA project
• Personalised Learning with ICT
• Mobile Technologies in English

If you are interested in finding out more about handheld learning, please contact:

Chris Carter
eDevelopments Adviser
Email: chris.carter@hertscc.gov.uk
Tel: 01438 843918

or

John Warwick
Deputy Head
St. Luke’s School
Email: john.warwick@stlukes.herts.sch.uk
Tel: 01582 626727

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Disclaimer: images used on this page are for illustration purposes only and do not represent any recommendation.