In fact, AlphaSmart (at http://www.alphasmart.com), a provider of technology solutions for education, has already unveiled its new Palm OS based product called Dana. The device is one of the most unique designs ever for a Palm OS device. It combines the convenience and affordability of a Palm OS handheld with the ergonomics of a lightweight laptop. It's pictured in Figure A.

FIGURE A

AlphaSmart's Dana is a new take on the Palm OS handheld. Click picture for a larger image.

To demonstrate the increased emphasis on mobility in education, Nagel cited a press release from IDC that said, "The K-12 market is moving from desktop PCs toward notebook computers and smart handheld devices, a shift expected to rapidly accelerate at the start of the 2003-2004 academic year."

Nagel also discussed how new technologies included in Palm OS 5 will enable new types of educational solutions. The new OS should offer faster processing, greater security of information, and new wireless support for better communication inside and outside of the classroom. In addition, new sound and multimedia capabilities are supported, and as these technologies evolve, applications will begin to support capabilities such as interactive video, speech recognition, voice applications, electronic paper, and other features that Nagel says will stimulate inquiry-based learning and collaboration in education.

Mike Lorion, vice president of education at Palm, Inc., also spoke at the conference, saying, "Palm OS products are going to be an important part of the education computing continuum because they offer education cost-effective, sophisticated mobile tools that make a computer for every student and teacher possible."

Lorion noted that Palm was using the conference to showcase the versatility of Palm OS products with new applications from various education developers. Those developers include AlphaSmart, Bachmann Software, Century Consultants, Cutting Edge Software, Electronics for Imaging, eLearning Dynamics, Grant Street Software LLC, Handmark, ImagiWorks, Inc., Infinity Softworks, Inc., PalmSource, Inc., Pico Communications, Scantron Corporation, Trivantis Corporation, TruSmart Technologies Corporation, and Wireless Generation.

Get InSTEP
Lorion also announced that Palm handhelds will become part of a West Virginia professional development program called InSTEP (The Integrating Strategies and Technology In Education Practice). InSTEP (at http://www3.cet.edu/instep/) is designed to provide educators statewide with the skills and strategies to help them teach in student-centered, high-technology classrooms. The program is designed for K-12 math and science teachers and university educators who are preparing new teachers to focus on problem-based inquiry learning rather than the traditional method of simply lecturing to impart knowledge.

At the beginning of each training session, educators choose an appropriate technology tool from a range of options given to them by InSTEP. They choose a technology based upon what they want to accomplish with problem-based learning. Of the nearly 400 teachers expected to participate in the eight, one-week programs this summer, so far, nearly half the teachers have chosen Palm handhelds.