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，特别是通过过去五年在底特律中学的工作，提出了一个基石实验。 一项以课堂为基础的研究将研究使用掌上电脑，与纸和纸相比，在支持学生进行两个关键的科学学习活动-概念图和解释。虽然有充分的理由相信，这些学习活动，独特的掌上电脑支持，很可能会导致学生成绩的提高和改善对科学的态度，这项研究的数据将是最具启发性的。 拟议的实验研究，那么，应该帮助教育界的研究人员和从业人员发展的教育成本和新兴的手持技术的好处更深入的了解。

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.