mLearning with Handheld Computing Tools in a Technologically Rich Environment

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m-Learning with Handheld Computing Tools in a
Technologically Rich Environment

• Presented to the NC State University
• LITRE Advisory Board
• Kenneth L. Esbenshade, Associate Dean and
  Director of Academic Programs
• Barbara M. Kirby, Assistant Director of Academic
  Programs
• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• North Carolina State University

November 4, 2002
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Technology Objectives

• Specifically, through its existing technology
  initiatives and though this technology project,
  CALS
• ensures that new students are prepared to meet
  technology-use expectations
• integrates appropriate technology-enhanced
  learning with appropriate technological-enhanced
  learning with the core academic activities of the
  university and
• ensures that graduates leave the university with
  appropriate technological proficiency.

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Characteristics of Successful Students

• High grade point average and motivation to study
• Time for interaction with faculty
• Attend their classes
• Make written schedules of weekly activities
• Plan courses at least a semester ahead
• Manage on-campus work time
• Participate in extracurricular activities
• --- ALS 103 requires students to keep a calendar

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College Initiatives for Honors in Information
Technology

• Palm (PDA) initiative Phase I 2002-2003
• Purchased 40 m130 units for the pilot project
• Distributed to key faculty
• Students in an Honors section of ALS 103,
  Introductory Topics in Agriculture and Life
  Sciences, were provided Palm Handheld units and
  given special assignments
• Designed to enhance students time management and
  organizational skills Palm calendar and Student
  4.0
• Initiative evaluated at conclusion of fall
  semester

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Phase I Mobile Learning in CALS
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Scientific Data Collection

• Palm Data Collect
• LabPro Interface
• Probes
• Sensors
• pH, Gas Pressure, EKG, etc.

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College Initiatives for Student and Faculty
Leaders in Information Technology

• Palm (PDA) initiative Phase II 2003-2004
• Distributed 25 Zire 71 units to College
  Ambassadors
• Designed to enhance students time management,
  organizational skills and presentation skills,
  Corporate Time calendar
• Distributed Tungsten Cs to key faculty
  undergraduate coordinators
• Designed to encourage faculty to develop
  applications in the discipline, experiment with
  wireless, calendar
• Initiative evaluated at conclusion of spring
  semester via focus groups and adoption of new
  programs

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Outcomes of 2003-2004 Initiatives

• PDAs used for Crop Science plant ID and field
  notation
• PDAs used for GIS applications in Soil Science
• PDAs used for Dairy records also developed for
  Beef records
• Ambassadors presentations
• and Corporate Time calendar
• group planning

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Ambassador Presentations and Schedules

• Kick Start Your Career Workshops
• Commodity Group presentations
• Career Services class presentations

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College Initiatives for Student and Faculty
Leaders in Information Technology

• Palm (PDA) initiative Phase III 2004-2005
• Distributed 25 Zire 72 units to College
  Ambassadors
• Designed to enhance students time management,
  organizational skills and presentation skills,
  Oracle Calendar
• Distributed 30 Tungsten Cs and 15 Zire 71s to
  Honors
• Time management Oracle Calendar, photo journals
  for research, wireless applications
• Administrative use of Oracle Calendar
• Encourage faculty to develop applications in the
  discipline, experiment with wireless, Oracle
  Calendar

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Learning in a Technology Rich Environment

• Computers 98 of the CALS
• Professional technology expectations
• Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) recommended
  for academic and time mgt. Use in classes home
• Zire 31
• Zire 72
• Tungsten E
• Tungsten C
• Software
• Oracle Calendar, address book, notepad
• Documents to Go Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Graphing calculator, Dictionary, Periodic Chart

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Mobile Learning in CALS Student Priorities

• Pre Post
• 1 1 Manage my academic time
• 2 2 Manage my personal time
• 3 8 Access web pages/class notes
• 4 5 Collect field information and project data
• 5 7 Create, edit and share word documents
• 6 3 Organize my addresses and other contact
  information
• 7 9 Access and send email
• 8 4 Use as a presentation tool
• 9 10 Read email
• 10 6 Play games
• Not available feature 2002-2003, Tungsten C
  wireless available in 2004

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Student Support

• Instruction Ed Support
• Technical Support/CAAT
• Student Listserv
• Instruction on Palm Basics and Calendar
• Instruction on Installation

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Challenges and Calendar Opportunities

• Transition from Oracle Corporate Time to Oracle
  Calendar
• Pilot 2004 for groups
• Implementation all CALS students, administration
  faculty and staff 2005
• Training CAAT, DELTA, ITD, PalmOne

• Costs
• Resources
• Use issues
• Assessment