Pilot PDA Program

Dallas Independent School District

Dallas, TX
 

Introduction/Overview
Organizational Change
Budget & Finance
Professional Development
Technology Infrastructure
Outcomes
Contact Information
 

Introduction/Overview

Dr. Cheri Halderman, Director of Instructional Technology, decided that the district should evaluate the use of handheld technology or PDAs in classrooms. The purpose was to find out how effective this new technology could be in improving student achievement. She selected Rachel Velasquez, a department specialist, to coordinate the project. During the first year of the pilot (2002–2003), Rachel worked with a core content specialist to assist in this effort in K–12 math, science, social studies, and language arts. Seven teachers, considered effective but not necessarily high tech, were given a class set of PDAs with a PDA for the teacher, principal, and specialist. Teachers were provided with subscriptions to Atomic Learning for online PDA tutorials; and $1,000 each to purchase software, a laser printer, a desktop computer, and a projection device.

Organizational Change

Under the leadership of Dr. Mike Moses, then general superintendent, we thought the climate was positive for a pilot that would provide a 1:1 student to technology ratio. Many stakeholders were invited: content specialists, principals, teachers, and students in all grade levels. One instructional technology specialist coordinated the project with assistance from other technology specialists and the department director. This project has made a tremendous impact on the department because we were directly affecting student achievement. The primary focus of the department is generally providing technology applications curriculum, technology training, and technology resources to teachers.

Budget & Finance

During 2002–2003, the pilot cost less than $50,000. Funding was provided through NCLB Title 2, Part D and the Texas state allotment. There are no ongoing maintenance costs and no currently planned refreshment cycle.

Professional Development

Professional development was provided through two sources: Atomic Learning online tutorials and planned sessions by the project coordinator. An online tutorial service was purchased so that teachers and students would have 24/7 availability to assistance in learning to use the PDAs. Sessions were planned throughout the school year to (1) orient the teachers, provide a forum to ask questions, and receive the PDAs; (2) provide face-to-face training to augment the online training; (3) provide a forum to share student projects and activities.

Technology Infrastructure

The PDAs did not connect to the infrastructure. They were handhelds that students carried in class, in the schools, on field trips, and in their homes. They "beamed" collected data through the use of software to the class desktop computer and printer. Netscape Navigator 4 or above Minimum Workstation (Client) System Requirements:

1. Operating system: Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0 (SP 6a required), Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional (SP2 recommended), Windows 2000 Server (SP2 recommended), Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition, or Windows NET Server 2003.
2. Computer/Processor: PC with a Pentium III-class, 600 MHz Processor.
3. 64 MB memory if using Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0.
4. 96 MB if using Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional.
5. 192 MB if using Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition.
6. 160 MB if using Microsoft Windows XP Professional.
7. 160 MB if using Windows.NET Server 2003.
8. 500 MB hard disk on system drive.
9. 1.5 GB hard disk on installation drive.

Outcomes

All participants felt the pilot was a success and thought additional pilots should be implemented with a summer start for orientation and training. The pilot would be extremely costly to scale in a district with 165,000 students. However, the pilot could be reproduced in subsequent years.

Contact Information

Dr. Cheri Halderman
chalderm@dallasisd.org
972-925-3594