The ability to store information electronically has been an extraordinary asset to many people who have difficulty with the linear aspects of traditional filing cabinet organization.

Electronic organizers have significantly changed the way information is managed and stored, from daily schedules to scanned legal documents. Being able to use a directory search application to find files, allows the user to access materials quickly and easily.

Personal Digital Assistants

Planned time-organization systems range from the traditional small booklet to the wireless personal digital assistants (PDAs). The introduction of a system improves the student's ability to make appointments, and remember to keep them.

Planned organization systems provide great assets:
• Knowing where and when classes or meetings are held;
• Having a visual image to aid in deciding how much time should be devoted to meals and recreation;
• Recording notes or thoughts;
• Keeping telephone numbers available;
• Maintaining lists of materials required for given courses.

PDAs add multiple tools to the arsenal, such as:
• backlighting
• a calculator
• software applications including: spell checkers, email programs, Internet access
• photo albums
• video games

All of these assets reduce the demands on working memory. However, students should be careful not to become confused or distracted by the system, or slavishly devoted to the organization process. That would defeat the purpose of using a PDA.

There are many systems for list taking, and categories should be selected to fit the work, school, play, or family-related needs of the individual (organization guru David Allen suggests that categories be made according to where the actions involved will be performed).

Information-transfer Capability

Many students benefit from tracking appointments and assignments electronically. For teachers who receive appointments digitally, or do most of their scheduling on the computer (and some on the run), a PDA allows for updating the information without entering the data twice. Teachers can just connect the PDA to a computer and press a button, transferring the data.

It is easy to attach a keyboard-type device to the PDA, which can be used to generate documents to save later on a desktop computer. This is a particularly nice portability feature, especially if the user does not have a laptop computer.

Many PDAs serve as pocket-size computers, with full programs like Word and Excel. The pocket computer represents the next generation of miniaturization. Some PDAs have wireless connectivity to the Internet. PDA screen readability varies, and users need to find a display they are comfortable with. Web sites are not yet self-designed to be viewed easily on a PDA.

Julie Strothman, Manager of Web Services at Landmark College, is a website developer, and regular user of a PDA, "You can beam information back and forth. Imagine if teachers beamed homework every day to all of the kids. Then they would just have it in their PDA — no 'where did I put it, I forgot to write it down...'"

In the near future, palmtop computers will be loaded with text readers and dictation software, enabling the user to download an E-book from the web and listen to it while doing the dishes. Alternatively, a user could dictate an essay while jogging, and then send it through infrared to a printer. Such technical advances are eagerly anticipated.

Some PDA Brands are Palm, Blackberry, Visor, and Jornada

Extensive further information on PDAs and their use in the classroom is available at the following websites:

www.remc11.k12.mi.us/bcisd/classres/mobile.htm

www.galtglobalreview.com/newtech/pocketpc_pda.html

www.palm.com/education/studies/