ROLE: Understanding the Impact of Handheld Computing Devices on Science

借鉴城市学校学习技术中心的经验，特别是通过其过去五年在底特律中学的工作，提出了一个基础实验。一项以课堂为基础的研究将考察使用手掌大小的电脑，与使用纸笔相比，在支持学生进行两项关键的科学学习活动——概念绘图和解释方面的作用。虽然有充分的理由相信，这些由手掌大小的电脑提供独特支持的学习活动，很可能会导致学生的成绩提高，并改善对科学的态度，但这项研究的数据将是最具启示意义的。因此，提出的实验研究应该有助于教育界的研究人员和实践者对新兴手持技术的教育成本和收益有更深入的了解。

Drawing on the experience of the Center for Learning Technologies in Urban Schools, especially through its work in Detroit's middle schools over the past five years, a cornerstone experiment is proposed. A classroom-based study will examine the use of palm-sized computers, in comparison to pencil-and-paper, in supporting students carrying out two key science learning activities - concept mapping and explaining. While there are good reasons to believe that these learning activities, uniquely supported by the palm-sized computers, may well lead to student achievement gains and improved attitudes toward science, the data from this study will be most revealing. The proposed experimental study, then, should help researchers and practitioners of the educational community develop a deeper understanding of the educational costs and benefits of the emerging handheld technologies.