Question:
Your technology director has given you a budget of $10,000 for the purchase of handheld devices in your library. Using the prices in Chapter 5 of Courtney as a general guideline, what would you purchase and why?
The purchases I have decided on would work well for any grade level campus. I’ve looked at three separate areas where handheld technology would enhance learning.
My first selection would be Playaways. These are digital audio players that are pre-load with audio books. Listening to audio books, especially when paired with the book in print; can develop fluency while improving vocabulary and comprehension skills. There are no cassette tapes to get stuck or lost and no cds to scratch or disappear; nothing even to download. Just plug in your earphones, and push play. Playaways are available in fiction and nonfiction text and can be used for academic purposes or for simply enjoying literature. They are especially beneficial for use with reluctant readers and Second Language Learners.
The second device I chose was the Classroom Performance System; one of several student response systems. With keypad and receiver equipment and software the teacher enters selected-response questions. Questions can be asked orally, displayed with projector, or given on paper. The students have small handheld devices similar to that of a television remote with which they answer questions. The receiver allows the teacher to receive instant feedback to assess comprehension. The system can be used for pretest, reviews, and building vocabulary. It can be used for any grade level and appeals to both visual and kinesthetic learners. It is highly engaging because all students are able to participate at the same time. In addition to providing instant feedback to instructors, the receiver also collects data so that is it can be easily analyzed for future instructional planning. The system includes 32 keypads, receiver, carrying case, software license, free software upgrades, online training, technical support, and lifetime warranty on hardware.
The third handheld I chose to invest in were iPods, so that podcast could be utilized as a teaching tool. A podcast is a series of audio or video files on the Web that can be cataloged and automatically downloaded. The iPods could be used in the library or checked out by the teacher for classroom use. Podcast can be accessed for free through sites like iTunes or you can subscribe to one of many services. Teachers can also create their own. Instructional uses include things such as: sharing book reviews, documenting field trips, updating classroom news, recording class discussions, conducting interviews, and reviewing content. I have chosen the iPod nano because it camera, but is less expensive that the classic or touch. It also comes in nine colors which is more appealing to students and allows me to purchase a number of different colors for quickly creating groups or teams if desired. I have chosen the 16 GB which holds 4,000 songs/16 hours video. I am including headphones for each iPod plus five replacement headphones in my order.
| Average Playaway $35 x 55 units | $1925 |
| Classroom Performance System | $1995 |
| iPod nano $179 x 30 devices | $5370 |
| Headphones $20 x 35 | $700 |
| Total | $9990 |
You included good justifications for each item that you chose to purchase. Also, the CPS was a unique choice for this assignment (most students think in terms of iPods and Kindles), but an excellent one.
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