Using Handhelds with Students, an interview with Tom Gamble, a 6th Grade teacher at Indian Hill Elementary, Omaha, NE

When looking for a teacher to help me in my quest to learn more about handhelds and how to use them with students, I discovered I would be working closely with Tom Gamble as part of my piloting opportunity. He was kind and generous enough to answer my questions via email with an open invitation for more conversations. The following is a summary of our virtual discussion.

Question: Describe the capacity in which you are involved with the use of handheld computers with students.

Tom has been using handhelds with his 6th graders for the past 3 years. He uses them in all curriculum areas, utilizing the freeware programs from the internet. He piloted the use of handhelds by borrowing a set from UNO. When he received his first set of Palm m130’s, he mainly used them for drill and practice as well as writing. Just recently, Tom was able to get a set of Palm Tungsten E’s and passed the old set to another teacher. He has use handhelds with students K-6 during summer programs.

Question: What programs have you found most effective toward connecting technology with curriculum?

Tom uses freewarepalm.com for all of his software. He has also learned about lots of new programs through summer technology courses. Tom encourages all teachers to simply try out as many programs as possible and see what works best for the needs of individual students. That’s what’s so great about palms, the individuality for all students.

Question: What have been some positives of using handhelds with students?

Some of the many positives that Tom has discovered about using palms include: the ease of use, hands on technology, individuality, and a variety of software. Handhelds are easy to use and most students understand the operation of them quicker than most adults. He believes that all students must get their hands on technology with the future heading that way and handhelds are a simple way to meet this need. Individuality in instruction is paramount in education and there are so many programs that will level themselves to the student’s needs. There are not many textbooks that can keep up with 25-30 individual needs for all subject areas. The variety of software allows the teacher to choose practice that will focus specifically on what is intended as the result of instruction.

Question: What have been some negatives of using handhelds with students?

Tom responds that technology has never been perfect. Like computers, sometimes handhelds will crash or have compatibility issues with software. Some students may also find ways to cheat and beam answers or play games during instruction. Tom has found though that most students are so focused on using the neat tool that they are willing to meet the expectations and exceed them well. Tom also comments that patience is the best thing to remember when working with handhelds. Computers don’t always work perfectly and we don’t complain about them that often.

Question: How have classroom teachers responded to the implementation of handhelds?

Most teachers are very receptive and feel it valuable for students to take part in this opportunity. They are eager to learn how to use handhelds themselves and how to individualize instruction. It takes some teachers awhile to view the handhelds as tools for instruction like textbooks and calculators, and not as a toy or gameboy.

Question: What have been some of your biggest challenges in implementing this new technology?

Tom’s biggest challenge by far was funding. He was fortunate to have a principal who saw his future of technology in all students’ hands. His generosity allowed Tom to purchase 25 m130’s, 16 Tungsten E’s, 22 keyboards, an elmo, and projector. Tom also had to learn patience and receive one thing at a time, working with it until something else became available. Convincing teachers to allow him into their rooms with the handhelds was also a challenge. Tom also commented on the limitations of handhelds. Making them internet ready is costly. The screen is also sometimes small for viewing, and handhelds could be lost, stolen, or broken. Tom tries to deals with each of these as they come up and reminds others that 4 handhelds does equal the cost of 1 laptop.

Question: What advice would you give to a teacher wanting to use handhelds with 4th grade students?

Tom says, “Go for it!” Tom encourages all teachers to take the step toward an incredible opportunity. They are a valuable resource that cannot be overlooked. Adding another tool to help students achieve can only benefit them. Be willing to start small and don’t try to do everything immediately. Get what you can and add to it. Begin creating lesson ideas and try them, followed by revising them and trying again.

Question: How have parents responded to their students using handhelds?

Tom states that all parents have been very supportive. They see it as a computer in every child’s hands, which is something many of them cannot provide at home. They often want to sit down and try it for themselves. The interest is not only on the child’s side, but the adults as well. Tom has yet to meet a parent who is not in support of handheld computers.

Question: Were handhelds sent home with students?

Tom comments that he has not sent handhelds home with students. The school has had issues with break-ins and technology theft and have become quite protective of their technology. He did however, send one home with a student that had hand surgery and was unable to write. He felt comfortable doing so after agreeing to any lost or damaged items being replaced by the parents.

Question: How many desktop computers would you recommend having per handheld?
Tom currently has 1 desktop computer that all handhelds are synched to. He says it does well handling all the handhelds. Having more computers would be helpful but not necessary.

That concludes the interview. I really appreciated Tom’s advice about using handhelds with students. I look forward to observing how he uses them with his students in the near future.