Palm Handheld Computers

San Antonio Independent School District

San Antonio, TX
 

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

Introduction/Overview

San Antonio's Independent School District (ISD) has 1,400 Palm handheld computers—at a cost of $250–$350 each—deployed in classrooms servicing 3- to 4-year-old children, as well as grades K–3. A Web site detailing this implementation appears online at http://itls.saisd.net/k12h. ISD employs five different Palm handheld computer-based assessments with Web-based reporting capabilities.

Specifically, assessment data collected via handhelds include the following:

· Texas Primary Reading Inventory (TPRI)

· Tejas LEE

· DIBELS

· IDEL

· CIRCLE

They allow both district and campus staff access (as appropriate) to data generated from these assessments. A sixth math assessment tool targeted at the same grade levels is anticipated for spring 2005 pilot implementation.

Key components of the initiative included the following:

1. Collaboration between multiple departments

2. Ample professional learning opportunities

3. Establishment of campus SyncStations

4. Distribution of handheld computers

More information—such as timeline, professional learning opportunities, video clips, and journal articles celebrating the handheld assessment initiative can be found online at http://itls.saisd.net/k12h and in a TCEA TechEdge magazine published article, available online at:

http://www.mguhlin.net/artifacts/writings/2003/tprihandheld.htm

In addition to handhelds being used for student assessment, assistant principals use handhelds for PDAS and as data assistants. This portion of the initiative allows assistant principals to access student and teacher data in the Palm of their hand, from PDAS input to student data access, scheduling, and Outlook e-mail. More information on this initiative is available online at http://itls.saisd.net/admin/ddas and was discussed in a TCEA's TechEdge magazine. A copy of the published article—also used by the TASA Technology Leadership Academies—is available online at:

http://www.mguhlin.net/artifacts/writings/2004/8tipspalm.htm

Organizational Change

The Reading/English Language Arts Office in the Curriculum & Instruction Department launched the initiative in summer 2003. Working in collaboration with the Reading Department were multiple offices in the Technology Department, notably Instructional Technology (providing training and instructional support), Network Services (providing HelpDesk and on-campus technical support), and District Initiatives & Special Projects (providing logistical assistance). A detailed timeline outlining all the steps is available online at http://itls.saisd.net/k12h/sub_pages/timeline_a.htm.

Budget & Finance

Implementation cost for this project was approximately more than $250,000 for handheld assessments, not including hardware (e.g., 1,400 Palm m515, Zire 72s, or Tungsten Cs as appropriate).

Professional Development

As of the 2003–2004 school year, the K–3 Handheld Computer-Based Assessment Initiative had been implemented successfully with more than 1,400 teachers trained in a joint effort by the Offices of Reading/English Language Arts and Instructional Technology. Teachers taking advantage of professional learning opportunities in anticipation of 2004–2005 assessments also received training.

The Data-Driven Administrator Seminar (DDAS) has enjoyed seven cohorts of assistant principals, all of whom report using the Palm handheld computer. A copy of feedback from these sessions is included.

Technology Infrastructure

Purchase of more than 1,400 handhelds, distribution to campuses, and ensuring setup of SyncStations made this a large implementation. Identification by campuses of computers that would be selected to serve as “SyncStations” in direct proportion with the number of teachers and students needing to be served was also important (SyncStations serve as the conduit for transmission of assessment data on the handheld computer to the Web-based reports). The SyncStation computer had to meet particular technical requirements provided by the company that developed the handheld assessments, Wireless Generation.

Outcomes

These handheld assessments eliminate paper documentation and greatly reduce the time required for administering assessments. The more information teachers and administrators have, the better they are able to design instructional activities that meet the needs of students in their care. Rather than sorting through paper assessments, gathering data to form a classroom, campus, district “big” picture, time is spent implementing interventions that meet student needs. Recurring assessments allow for the traditional cycle of “monitor and adjust” but much more quickly than was possible with paper assessment processes.

In regards to data-driven administrator seminars, access to data at point of need has enabled administrators to save time and be more effective in their work. This is documented in feedback collected from DDAS participants and recorded online at http://itls.saisd.net/enews/ITS_newsltrs/052104enewsa.htm.

Evaluation

Ongoing assessment is a critical component of the handheld assessment initiative. Assessments address instructional impact through periodic monitoring of student reading skills and strategies, technical implementation, and data reporting. Assessment measures that address instructional impact are elaborated online via the SAISD iDataPortal, a Web-based data portal for all assessment information collected within San Antonio ISD. Although it cannot be accessed by unauthorized individuals, the portal enables teachers, administrators, and parents quick access to student data. All handheld assessments share their information via the iDataPortal. Ensuring access to data collected via handhelds—whether they are used for administrative or assessment purposes—has been a valuable component of the initiative.

Contact Information

Miguel Guhlin
mguhlin@saisd.net
210-527-1400