Welcome

Mobile Computers

( AlphaSmart )

B y

Reem Alharbi

Mobile Computers

Many types of mobile computers have been introduced since the 1990s, including the:

Laptop computers

PDA (Personal digital assistant)

Pocket PC Dreamwriter

AlphaSmart

AlphaSmart

What is AlphaSmart ?Smart keyboarding device.much like a laptop computer, but is mainly for

word processing. Can be connected to Macintosh or PC, transfer

your text , and edit or print

Simple operating system: you turn it on, do some writing, then turn it off.

Built in word processor. store up to 100 pages of text in 8 separate files

(512 KB of data storage ) Light weight: 2.0 lbs. (.91 kg).

Features of AlphaSmart

Affordable ( $250 ).Full-sized keyboard.700 hours or more of operation on 3 AA

alkaline batteries.5.75" x 1.5" LCD ( up to 6 lines of text per

screen in AlphaWord Plus word processor

History 1992: AlphaSmart was founded by two previous

Apple Computer engineers. August 1993: First product ( AlphaSmart )

Macintosh compatible Stores up to16 pages of text (32 kb).

February 1995: AlphaSmart Pro October 1997: AlphaSmart 2000 January 2000: AlphaSmart 3000 June 2002: Dana August 2004: Neo

Word processingTake notesCollect Data

Usage of Alpasmart

Mainly used in Elementary schools for basic computing skills such as typing, word processing....etc

Evidence of Usage in Education

Used in more than 8,000 school districts in the United States and other countries.

In Jun 15, 2005, Santa Ana School District's Wilson Elementary School Wins Award for 'Best Use of Hardware as a Learning Tool' Using AlphaSmart.

Choosing this technology: Why? Simple to use, easy to learn

Affordable:COMPUTER LABS?SHARE COMPUTERS?

ORAlphaSmart for every student ?

Improves technology literacy and keyboarding skills for students

Improves English language reading, writing and verbal skills

Very portable: small, light weight, use AA battery

Alhpasmart In School

Bibliography

AlphaSmart Inc., (2005). Retrieved Dec. 02, 2005, from AlphaSmart Web site: http://www3.alphasmart.com/

The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) , (2005). Accessible technologies for all students initiative to create dialogue between general and special education technology decision makers . Retrieved Dec. 05, 2005, from CoSN Web site: http://www.cosn.org/about/press/012705.cfm.

Drew, M. (1998, Winter ). Alphasmart keyboard connects school and home. TECH-NJ, 9. Retrieved Nov 26, 2005, from http://www.trenton.edu/~technj/win98/drew.htm

Russell, M., College B., and Plati T. (2002, May 29). Does it matter with what i write? comparing performance on paper, computer and portable writing devices. Current Issues in Education, 5 (4). Retrieved Dec 02, 2005, from http://cie.asu.edu/volume5/number4/.

Wikipedia, (n.d.). Alphasmart. Retrieved Nov. 28, 2005, from Wikipedia Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AlphaSmart.