Workshop focuses on handheld computers in education
June 19, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- Area educators will have a chance to learn how to successfully implement Palm OS handheld computers in the classroom during an in-depth workshop Monday through Wednesday, July 28-30, in 3208 Sangren Hall on the Western Michigan University campus.
The "Implementing Handheld Computers in the Classroom" workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 28, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 29 and 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 30. Registration is limited to 30 people. The deadline to register is July 18.
The program is being sponsored by WMU's College of Education and GoKnow Inc., a company founded by members of the University of Michigan's Center for Highly Interactive Computing in Education.
GoKnow specializes in scientifically validated and standards-based K-12 curriculum, technology and professional development. It markets products that utilize the large installed base of personal computers in schools and has developed a suite of educational software for use with Palm OS devices.
Stephen Best and Mike Curtis from GoKnow will be the workshop instructors. They will cover topics including: an overview of handheld computers; the benefits of incorporating handheld computers in education; curriculum integration; budget, policy, and technical considerations for schools; assessment and management strategies; educational software tools; advanced software resources; setup and management of handheld computers; and synchronizing handheld computers and installing software.
The workshop costs $499 per person and includes lunch on Monday and Tuesday as well as "Palm Handheld Computers: A Complete Resource for Classroom Teachers" and the GoKnow manual for implementing handheld computers in schools. Those interested may sign up for the graduate credit option for an additional fee.
To register, follow the instructions in the workshop brochure, which is available by calling WMU's Conferences and Seminars office at (269) 387-4174 or by visiting the calendar section of the office's Web site at <www.wmich.edu/conferences>. More information about GoKnow is available online at <learningathand.com>.
Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu