Parents Need a Back-to-School Checklist for Educational Technology
(ARA) - New clothes that strike a balance between
appropriate and cool? Check. New school supplies that include the latest
backpack style? Check. New ulcer caused by your teen’s impending first day of
high school? Check mate. You may not be ready for it, but you’re pretty sure
they are. You’ve raised them to appreciate an education, you’ve taught them
everything you know and you’ve given them all the trappings of the 21st
century teen. But have you given them an edge?
Technology has dramatically altered the classroom in the last decade, allowing
students to achieve a deeper level of understanding of their schoolwork. The
“calculator” you used, which probably offered a one line screen and had only
basic math functionality, is now as antiquated as the abacus. There is a new
breed of educational handheld devices more akin to handheld computers. They
make the word “calculator” woefully inadequate to describe what is possible
for your teen. This new technology is not a calculator at all, but closer to a
portable and personal handheld computer. It leverages software algorithms and
micro-technology and offers functions beyond mere mathematical calculation to
enrich the learning experience across a spectrum of subjects. It gives a child
the edge that the hippest clothes, the coolest school supplies and even a
parent’s best intentions can’t provide.
But your VCR still flashes 12:00 a.m. You know as much about the latest
technology as you do about the newest boy band. So how do you know you’ve
given your child the best tool to succeed? What should you look for in an
educational handheld? There are three elements to consider in the checklist
for this back-to-school purchase: educational value, lifecycle and price.
Educational Value
Perhaps the most important factor in choosing an educational handheld device
is the company that makes it. Are they focused on education? Some companies
are marketing their business handhelds, or personal digital assistant (PDAs)
as educational handhelds. However, these are often not created with the
student, or learning, as the priority. The best devices are developed after
rigorous research and testing with educators. Teachers should be involved in
developing the products as they offer significant input on what capabilities
are necessary to heighten the impact of the coursework. Teens are also often
asked what they would like to see integrated into the handheld. The devices
themselves are even tested in the school environment, having to survive a
“crunch test” in a book bag that simulates the wear and tear the average teen
can inflict. The best way to research a company to make sure it meets this
educational criterion is by asking your child’s teacher or looking on the
company’s Web site.
Another way to evaluate the educational
value of these products is to look at the additional software
applications that are offered. These applications extend the
capabilities of a handheld device into different subject areas. Some
companies, like Texas Instruments, have developed educational “apps”
that are easily downloadable via computer from their Web site. Again,
ask your student’s teacher what applications will be used in class, but
also know that many apps can be used as student-driven study aids. They
add functionality, flexibility and fun to the learning process, and
top-of-the-line devices allow you to choose from an array of subjects.
Obviously, students still need the traditional math and science
functions that allow them to explore equations for algebra, plot graphs,
determine coefficients and perform the higher arithmetic functions, but
many educational devices leave off there. There are, however, devices on
the market, like the TI-83 Plus Silver Edition, that also enable
students to graphically analyze data for biology, offer spreadsheet
capabilities, and timelines for history, social studies, and other
classes. It can even be used as a personal organizer to keep class
schedules and important contact information. Educational handhelds like
this can connect with computers for software app downloads as well as
operating system upgrades that can further extend its usability through
the school years.
Some devices even have capabilities to review
electronic flash cards for any subject, including foreign languages. The
best devices for learning are allowed for use on standardized tests,
such as the SAT and ACT, and even required for some state exams. This
gives your child a decided edge in the testing environment, as these are
often the same tools they use in class.
Lifecycle
A handheld’s “lifecycle,” or how long its technology is up to date, is
another important factor when deciding on an educational device. Always
check the applications. Do they cover a variety of educational subjects?
Do they actually offer anything new that will help your child succeed?
Beware of superficial changes and your child’s desire to simply have the
coolest looking model, regardless of its value in the classroom.
The second thing to understand is that we live in an age of software.
Downloads should be readily available at a company’s Web site and should
offer a wide range of options that extend the use of the product through
multiple subject areas and different educational levels.
Price
Obviously this “lifecycle” is an important distinction when pricing
handhelds, as is the educational value. This is an investment that you
are making for your child’s future. A good handheld should take a
student through three or four years of learning, with the average device
costing between $100 and $150. When one thinks of the school supplies
bought every year (remember those designer tennis shoes?), an
educational handheld’s cost is negligible when spread out over its
entire lifecycle.
Make sure you’re getting what you paid for. Does the device add value by
delivering more apps across a wide spectrum of subjects? Was it
developed with input from educators? Will it withstand the pressure
between a chemistry and English book? Can they use it for standardized
testing? Can the lifecycle be extended through downloads saving you
multiple purchases?
As your teen begins his or her high school years, you can be confident
that their learning experience will be enriched with the right
educational handheld device. It is one more tool and one more edge you
can give them as they enter that brave new world. As you look for the
right device to fit your needs, you can rest easy in the knowledge that
you now know more about educational handhelds than you ever thought you
would. Boy bands and the clock on the VCR are still a mystery.
Information on TI products can be found at www.education.ti.com/bts.
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