my PDA eWorld

As part of my space E-byte I created an activity to encourage the students to navigate the school grounds on the hunt for space treasure. The students used the Nasa Space Camp website to learn how to take bearings with a compass. They were then sent an e-mail with navigation instructions and directions. Their first task was to transfer these instructions onto the PDA so they were available to each student when we went outside. It was very interesting to see the different ways the student's did this. Some were able to save the attachment in their folder and active sync the instructions on to the PDA, some voice recorded, while others used the transcriber, some sat there waiting for instructions from the teacher! The students were excited and ran outside to find the space treasure! I discovered that the students who had chosen to transcribe the instructions had rushed and mis-typed the instructions so ended up on the wrong side of the oval! The active-sync group decided to take 2 PDAs outside so they were able to view the instructions while using the other PDA to record their answers. The only problem they encountered was the glare of the sun on the screen made it difficult to read the instructions. The students who voice recorded their instructions seemed to have no difficulty and even learnt how to use the Pause button! The students who were waiting for my instructions soon got the idea and joined the other teams. All the groups eventually found space treasure. They then created their own navigation courses and chose to voice re cord or transcribe instructions. At the end of the lesson all results were beamed back to me and appropriate points given.

Over the past few weeks, our team has brainstormed and discussed ideas and developed questions surrounding the development of the PDA Project. We have decided that we need to make a conscious effort to ensure the PDA activities do not remove the teacher from the learning. We are now at the beginning stages of developing our rich learning tasks. What an exciting time!

In the past couple of weeks the eKidz at BNPS have been buiklding Pocket Bytes. Pocket Bytes are mini PDA formatted websites built around a specific learning focus. Learners were offered a list of 30 topics on the topic of Light and Sound to build science based Pocket Bytes. The eKidz are building the Pocket Bytes using a template designed from earlier discussions about "what ingredients make for a great learning experience?" In essence a Pocket Byte caters for numerous learning styles. They contain:

1. Brain Zone and Alphabetical Bits: text content
2. Listen Up: an audio overlay
3. Cue graphic: for visual connect
4. ToonByte: Cartoon story about an aspect of the topic
5. Media Mash: Multimedia mini movie constructed about the topic
6. EduGamer: hyperlinks to websites containing Interactive content on the topic
7. Quizzer: short multiple choice self marking quiz on the topic
8. Puzzler: a easy quick puzzle to complete
9. Last laugh: light humour or cartoon skit
10. Feed Back: Invites users to negotiate and activity to reflect their learning and extended learning on the topic. (Based on Gardners Multiple Intelligences)
11. Hot Links to popular online search engines

Click here to view a sample Pocket Byte made by myself.

I expect the eKidz to complete their Pocket Bytes within the next 4 weeks.
So far, I've been wowed by their quiet and zealous approach to the building Pocket Bytes. I believe that the opportunity to produce knowledge/content gives a great value to the experience than just being a consumer/user of it. I am convinced that the variety of ways that the content can be constructed and communicated adds enormous engagement value to the learning experience for the producer.

Once completed, it will be interesting to see how a group of students (other than ekidz) will respond to using /completing a Pocket Byte. Stay tuned.

During hands-on science experiments, handhelds are fantastic for students to use note section to record observations as they are actually happening in real time . Using the recorder function is also worthwhile. Students became very adept at identifying main ideas and/or key facts and then developing note-taking skills to succinctly and quickly record information.

The grade 5/6 students at Broadmeadows PS have been investigating who stole the laptop from the Principal's office. Students were exposed to an e-byte taking them on a learning journey through a variety of forensic science activities to reveal the culprit. They used the PDAs and have learnt how to active sync their interviews and interview questions into their PowerPoint shows. So far the results have been impressive. I have found that using E-bytes in conjunction with PDAs has enabled the students to be motivated and independent in their learning.

At Balwyn North PS the eKidz have begun building their first Pocket Byte. The eKidz contributed to the design and content elements. So, they were keen to construct their first one.
A Pocket Byte is in essence a small multi media website or learning module about a specific topic. Level 4 students are currently studying light and sound in science, so most of the Pocket Byte topics have this focus.
A Pocket Byte contains the following elements:

• One clear graphic to visually cue the topic
• Brain Zone to introduce the topic leading to>
• More details or Alphabet bits with a max of 10 bullet points of interesting knowledge and hyperlinks to websites of value
• Listen Up: Short audio intro using Audacity
• Toon Byte: cartoon using www.dfilm.com
• Mini movie for Pocket PC using Windows Movie Maker
• EduGamer: with hyperlinks to websites that have games and activities about the topic
• Quiz: Self marking using www.discoveryschool.com
• Last Laugh: Humour (jokes, cartoons) about the topic
• Feedback: This section is static, and offers students who undertake the Pocket Byte via their PDA to choose a method (prompted by Gardners Multiple Intelligences) to feed back to their teacher.

Click here to enjoy a sample Pocket Byte (Put your headphones on)

Pocket Bytes are constructed using MS Publisher 2003 in webpage format.

It will be interesting to track the eKidz journey via their blogs.

The 5/6s went on an excursion to the Victoria Market. Did we trust them with the PDAs?... we sure did! We decided to buy some langlard key chains which thread through the top left of the PDAs (similar to the mobile phones). The kids carried them around their necks for the day, allowing them to have instant access whenever they were required. This worked well, especially as they voice recorded members of the public. We amazingly didn't lose any of them!

PDA's are great for creating multi media learning activities.

Click here to visit a PDA based activity aimed at using several PDA features and revealing the Gold Toonie winner!!