This document discusses the history of handheld learning technologies and teacher training in the UK from the 1990s to 2007. It covers the introduction of laptops for teachers in the early 1990s and 2000s, as well as the more recent inclusion of handheld devices like PDAs. Evaluations found that exclusive long-term access to portable devices encouraged teachers to learn new systems and use the technology more. The document also notes that handheld devices may be more effective than laptops for linking home and school, especially in areas with limited access. It concludes by emphasizing the need to continue testing new technologies and addressing their limitations.

1. Handheld Learning 2007 Putting it together – from infrastructure to implementation A teacher training perspective Tim Tarrant – TDA – [email_address]

2. Areas I will cover A personal perspective Some history TDA’s role What have we learnt? Where do we go from here?

3. A bit of history 1991 – PSION Series 3 - £179 128KB & £249 256KB

4. 1993 – PSION Series 3a - £270 256KB & £400 2MB

5. 1994 – LAPTOP FOR TEACHERS SCHEME Run by NCET/DfES £5m 4 suppliers including Apple Colour screen No Acorn colour laptop available 2 teachers per school – “buddies”

6. 1996 Laptops evaluation published All indices +80% Roger Frost 1996 Stevenson Commission report 1997 Labour election manifesto Teacher training for ICT Lottery funded

7. 1997 – PSION Series 5 - £439 4MB & £499 8MB

8. 1998 ….. investment in ICT in schools 1999 – Psion Series 7 - £700 16MB Psion's Series 7 not only received the full 5 out of 5 Geekheads for Geekness and Quality but also forced me to purchase one for myself, I have awarded it a Geek.com Pick .

9. Laptops for teachers evaluation “ One of the key reasons for teacher’s success was that they had ‘ownership’ and exclusive use of a machine over a long period. Interviews suggested that this encouraged them to invest time in learning the systems. Another key reason was the portability off the machines. Not only did this lead to many extra hours of use at home, but also when teachers needed support they could take the machine to a colleague.” 1997

10. TDA POLICY – 2002 to 2004 Catch up with the investment in schools Target laptops for trainees and teacher trainers

11. “ The PC or laptop is still the hub for the other devices - camera, PDA.” Jonathan Ive – Chief Designer for Apple – c2003/2004

12. TDA POLICY – 2004 to ……… Continue to catch up with schools Include: video capture Interactive whiteboards Videoconferencing and PDAs

13. Current position – October 2007 Personal access to laptops from 20% to over 60% in less than 3 years – no longer an issue ICT skills of trainees shown significant increase Over 1,000 trainee teachers are using PDAs Results are included on the ttrb

14. What we have learnt……… It is the multi-functionality of a PDA that is key A camera is often the most useful part of a PDA Internet access costs are still an issue outside school/university Tablet PCs are of questionable value unless they are a true tablet PC Outcomes are often different to expectations - E- scape video.wmv

15. What we and others have learnt……… Teachers like laptops for their personal admin students prefer handhelds Handhelds linking home to school – most success where access is low Laptops are more likely to be left at home than handhelds

16. Where do we go from here……… Keep trying the kit…… Technology often solves the problem Recognise limitations of laptops Act on the outcomes

17. “ The school felt that whilst the novelty factor of the handhelds impacted on the community at large, it particularly impacted on the travelling community, for whom it was their only access to technology. Furthermore attendance rates for this community increased dramatically and even families with limited financial means stated a willingness to pay for devices” HANDHELDS – Learning with handheld technologies – A Handbook from Futurelab

18. Handheld Learning – 2007 Thank you Tim Tarrant – TDA – tim.tarrant@tda.gov.uk