Student Use and Perceptions of Handheld Computers for Geoscience Fieldwork and in-Class Quizzing

Handheld computer technology such as Palm Pilots can enhance the educational experience of non-science majors in introductory-level earth science and geoscience courses. Yet technological tools should not be utilized just for the sake of using technology. It is important to assess student perceived learning and obstacles when integrating technology into classroom activities. Palm Pilots were incorporated as a pedagogical tool to facilitate data collection during outdoor geoscience field investigations and for individual students to read questions and record responses to multiple-choice quizzes on the Palms in the classroom. Preliminary assessment data show that student responses are all favorable towards using handhelds for field exercises, yet approximately half the students report negative feelings and experiences towards using handhelds for in-class multiple-choice quizzing. These results indicate that perhaps handheld computers are appropriate for selective tasks such as streamlining data collection and organization, while at the same time handhelds may negatively impact student attitude and performance for other functions in undergraduate courses.