Why Every Teacher Needs A PDA

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Why Every Teacher Needs A PDA

• By Gerry Heffernan
• mr.heffernan_at_gmail.com
• compsci.ntci.on.ca/asce

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Keep track of Appointments, Due Dates, Test Dates

• All PDAs come with a calendar program a core
  reason for PDA in first place
• Sync with Microsoft Outlook
• Can also buy 3rd party programs that do more

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Excel Spreadsheets

• Comes with PocketPCs
• Can easily convert back and forth with PC
• Handy for recording marks or checklists

4
MS Word

• Can create and edit MS Word documents
• Lacks some features of PC version
• Good for entering basic content before formatting
• Part of Office Mobile comes with PDA

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Markbook

• Markbook comes with mobile version (Markbook CNX)
• Can enter marks and then export to Markbook on PC
• Show students their marks

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Read PDF document

• Free download for PDA
• Works better with VGA PDAs
• Can view curriculum documents, MDM 4U solutions,
  etc.

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MS Reader

• Free download or included
• Many ebooks available in this format
• U of Virginia for free classics

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uBook

• Free download
• For viewing html or txt files (eg. Project
  Gutenberg)

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PowerPoint Presentations

• Only available of Windows Mobile 5 or later
• Can only view presentations not create or edit
  them

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Update websites

• Can edit html documents
• Can upload through FTP with a free download
  called Total Commander (a file explorer that can
  also edit the registry, search the LAN or do FTP)

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Use the Internet

• Pocket version of IE standard
• Can buy 3rd party browsers that are closer to PC
  versions
• Good for quickly finding information (some sites
  are designed for PDA and smartphone)

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Email

• Can read and write email using various methods
• Hotmail and gmail both work with Pocket IE
• Most PDAs will have WiFi capability (either
  built-in or can be added)

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TI-83 emulator

• Can emulate a TI-83 (good for MDM 4U teachers
  especially) a free download
• Other math programs available that can do things
  like geometers sketchpad etc.

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Play videos/mp3s

• Windows Media Player standard on PDA
• Can download free programs to play AVI, MP4 and
  many other formats

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Write Your Own

• Several different ways of writing your own
  programs
• Ms .Net
• Ewe (and Eve) a free PocketPc flavour of Java

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Emulators

• Can emulate DOS can create Turing or C
  programs on PDA
• Can emulate old hardware like and Apple IIe

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Skype

• There is a version of skype that runs on PocketPCs

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FM Radio

• You can listen to FM radio with a SD-card adapter
• Can also listen to internet radio

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Universal Remote Control

• Can use as IR remote control for TVs, VCRs etc.
• If you have original remote it can learn its codes

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Voice Recorder

• You can record with built-in mic
• Sound recorder is included software

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GPS

• Some PDAs have GPS built-in
• Bluetooth and CF card versions also available

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Many other Programs

• There are a huge number of useful programs out
  there (many are free)
• You can also write your own (I made one to keep
  track of homework completion)