Using a PDA in Today's Classroom
By Rucker, Chauncey; ConnSENSE Bulletin, Vol. 4, No. 5Publication Date: January 2003
Article is based on a presentation regarding the use of a personal digital assistant (PDA) in the special education classroom, by Dan Herlihy at the Closing the Gap conference in October 2002. The author discusses software programs that are commonly used with PDAs, and describes two PDAs: (1) the AlphaSmart, and (2) Dana, both from AlphaSmart. Most PDAs come equipped with word processing programs, but if they do not, free word processing software such as FreeWrite, from Highly Interactive Computing is available. FreeWrite features a 109 thousand-word spellchecker, beaming capability, and support for over 25 pages of letter-sized page text. The program can be downloaded from http://www.handheld.hice-dev.org. Word to Go is described as a PDA version of Microsoft Word. The user can create and edit word files on a PDA, and Word to Go maintains the formatting intact. Text can be entered on an onscreen keyboard, by using a shorthand version of printing, or by using any one of the several folding keyboards that can be used with a PDA. Quick Write is a word prediction program that runs on a PDA. The user can copy and paste text with Quick Write into Word to Go and add formatting. AlphaSmart is a full keyboard with a small screen, which runs on batteries. Accessibility features include Slow Keys, which allow a key to be held down for up to three seconds before it repeats the character. A keyguard, or moisture guard, is available from Inclusive Corporation. Standard keyboard layouts are available, and the keyboard can be arranged for left- or right-handed use. The Co:Writer Smart Applet is discussed, which is a word prediction program that runs on the AlphaSmart 3000. The program is based on Co:Writer 4000, which can be used to create topic dictionaries. Dana is much like the AlphaSmart, except it has a much larger screen, making it more practical for reading eBooks.
Assistive Products Discussed: CO:WRITER 4000
ALPHASMART 3000 (MODELS AS30, AS30-RC, AS30-IR, & AS30-IR-RC)
DANA
Published by: ConnSENSE (Connecticut's Special Education Network for Software Evaluation) (Website:http://www.connsensebulletin.com)
NEAT (New England Assistive Technology) Marketplace (Web Site: http://www.neatmarketplace.org )
A.J. Pappanikou Center for Developmental Disabilities (Web Site: http://www.uconnucedd.org )
Connecticut Tech Act Project (Web Site: http://www.cttechact.com )
Link to text: http://www.connsensebulletin.com/danctg.html
