Designing Learning Objects for PDAs

Eric WilsonCVC3 Trainer and Mentor

Objectives

• All PDAs are created equal!• Learning Tools for PDAs• Development Tools• Portable Presentation Tools• The Present and the Future

All PDAs are Created Equally

• Wrong!!!– PDA configurations differ from each

other– Memory– Speed– Colors– OS

• Palm, PocketPC and Pocket Linux

Learning Tools for PDAs

• In order to make PDAs be powerful and efficient learning tools, let’s look at what PDA programs make this possible!– Flash (Pocket PC)– PDF (Palm/PocketPC/Pocket Linux)– PowerPoint (Palm/PocketPC)– Word (Palm/PocketPC/Pocket Linux)– Real (Palm/PocketPC/Pocket Linux)

Developing LO for PDA

• Need to plan it out– Keep in mind of the limited screen

space on the PDA– Keep in mind of file size

• Develop the learning object using designing tools

• Test it

Planning out the LO

• Old fashion paper and pencil brainstorming tool

• High Tech stuff!!!– Inspiration / Kidspiration (PC/Mac/Palm)– MindJet’s MindManager (PC/PocketPC)– Omni Outliner (Mac)– Aqua Mind Notetaker (Mac)– Hands High ThoughtManager (Palm/PC/Mac)– Microsoft OneNote (PC)– Microsoft Word

Design Tools for LO

• Flash MX 2004 Professional• RoboDemo• Acrobat• PowerPoint• Real Helix Producer

Presentation Tools

• Hardware– Margi Presentations To Go– Wireless– Projectors

• Software– PowerPoint– Flash– PDF

eBooks

• An alternative to carrying all those text books.– Many publishers now sell their books

in electronic format called eBooks• PDF Technology• Microsoft Reader Technology• Protected Word Documents (Dataviz)• eReader (ereader.com)

– Some publishers may have their own proprietary software to prevent piracy.

Present and Future

• Articles (courtesty of Syllabus)• Web Sites

– Palm Planning– Surf Aquarium– Midgefrazel– Garden Valley Collegiate– Oklahoma Agriculture

• Books

Open Discussion

Why Should Your School Go PDA?