Blog Entry #2: Handheld Devices

Given the amazing amount of 10,000 for my library, I have chosen to purchase 30 i Touches. Taxes included, I would have enough money left over for training and extra software and or hardware that may be needed. Not only is this slim design well under two pounds, but it is easy to carry, store, and use with the students and faculty. My primary users would be the students. Being a librarian of pre-K through fourth grade means that the students will need the guidance of the teachers and staff. Training the faculty on the many uses of these will allow the handhelds to travel from classroom to classroom with or with out me. Training the students will also encourage independence of using these in the library depending on the goal that has been set.

The students can use these to research on the web. A great free site for this is called iTunes U. It allows them to choose from more than 250,000 free course lectures, videos, readings, and pod-casts from universities and institutions worldwide. I love that phrase "We've got an app for that". Being able to search the web and app store through the built in Wi-Fi and download free apps is a wonderful and easy tool. The handhelds will connect to any free Wi-Fi that is already available. No paper or pen needed. While working on their research, they can write, save, and revise on the hand-held. The iTouch has two styles of viewing; landscape or portrait and has larger keys with more room to type.

There is a camera and video recorder on the handheld. This way the students can record projects or share pod-casts. This is a great way for them to photograph or record lessons and research ideas and email them for others to see. They could also Skype with authors and other students. I am envisioning book talks with students in Peru and author visits too!

The students can also listen to play list created by their teachers or create one of their own. From jazzing up their PowerPoint to learning techniques that will help them do better on exams, the possibilities are endless.

In researching and writing about this topic, I am already entertaining the idea of finding a grant writer (or writing it myself in all my spare time) to help me make this dream happen. I feel that the faculty and students at my school would really benefit from all of the amazing possibilities a class set of 30 iTouches would bring to them.