Technology for Science Teachers

Hey Guys,
While I was looking around the Online Internet Database for my school, I noticed an article that can relate to teaching science and using technology at the same time. The article was entitled " In Sync with Science Teaching". The article was written by Michelle Scribner-MacLean, Andrew Nikonchuk, Patrick Kaplo and Michael Wall. This article was in another database called "The Science Teacher". The article talks about how handheld computers can aid in teaching science. The article states, "Handheld devices have long had the potential for applications in the classroom, but recent advances and affordability in wireless technologies have enhanced their applicability in schools and created opportunities for educators to improve on process and management efficiencies". One of the reasons why the authors say that these devices are important is because that they can help in grading student's work, since this can become a very long and drawn out process. Grades can instantly be brought up for teacher viewing and records. These devices can also be used in Parent/Teacher conferences. The parent can instantly look at the progress their child has made through the semester or term. Attendance can also instantly be inputted into the device, which will save class time.
The article then explains that Microsoft Excel offers a tutorial for the device and programs that go along with it. Docks are also offered with handheld devices. This allows the teacher to input notes into the device and then connect it to the teacher's main computer. The final part of the article goes into what these types of handheld devices cost. The median range for these devices is six hundred dollars.
Overall I thought that this article was worth reading. The layout of the overall article was easy to read and easy to follow. I also think that the article had many good points in figuring out why handheld devices are almost necessary. Time is a major problem for some teachers. I agree that the handheld devices will free up some of the busy teacher's time. The article can be found in Florida Gulf Coast's Library in Online Databases. This article was under the Academic OneFile Academic journal.

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