Although Palm is moving more and more toward supporting only Smartphones like the new Pre, the older Palm handhelds are still very viable tools for classroom use. Here's one video which shows how a teacher uses them in her 5th grade classroom.

Palm still makes three models, the Palm Z22 (retails for $99), the Palm Tungsten E2 (retails for $199,) and the Palm TX (retails for $299). All three have great potential, depending on your needs. I'm always asked which I recommend and I always have to ask "How do you plan on using them?" before I can answer that question. I do recommend that you shop around, as good refurbished models are out there and are usually very reasonably priced.

I would definitely purchase a wireless (IR or Bluetooth) keyboard, as those enhance the functionality of the devices tremendously and make data entry very easy. They range in price from $25 to about $50, depending on the make/model.

Again, I'll refer you to Tony Vincent's Learninginhand.com website, as it is a wealth of info about Palm handhelds. Be aware that Tony is no longer updating that part of his website, but there are still many valuable resources there. Don’t forget about Tony’s earlier series of podcasts called “Soft Reset” which gives great tips and tricks for Palm and Windows based handheld computers. These can be found and downloaded for free on iTunes.

Once you get a classroom set, see this article Managing Palm handhelds

Here's a comprehensive listing of some great Palm software categorized by curriculum area. Almost all of the suggestions are freeware. (I would not recommend sending students there, as the site has adult content.)

You DON'T need an iPod to listen to a podcast, you can listen from your desktop or a handheld device. From the PalmFocus website, an article titled "Listening to Podcasts on a Palm Device" shows a variety of ways you can do this. It includes links to a number of applications (free and inexpensive) that allow you to make your podcasts "to go."

Links to some handheld applications for school administrators

GoObserve $ (99.95 as of 2/07) Demo download available. Works on Palm or PocketPC systems.

GoObserve provides observation scheduling through your desktop computer. After you synchronize your handheld, the observations are automatically added to your calendar. When in a classroom, the handheld component of GoObserve allows you to seamlessly “script” activities. Using categorization and time-stamping features, you can record, minute-by-minute, how teachers are doing and if students are engaged.

ScheduleFinder

mobile student management tool for administrators

$

Automatically takes data from student management system for use on a Palm. In addition, the application integrates with many of the unique features of the various handheld devices (i.e. built-in digital cameras, cellular phones, barcode scanners) to offer even more powerful functionality. provides school Administrators instant access to all of their student information, photo IDs, and emergency plans on a Palm handheld.

CFB Timer from Tucows  (freeware)

This is a countdown alarm for timing anything from a few seconds to 99 minutes. It works even if your Palm is switched off or reset.

Countdown  (freeware)

This application keeps track of the number of days until a certain date. Useful for counting down how many days until a test or until a much-needed vacation.

Power Walkthrough $300 for software plus training costs which vary–contact McREL for pricing options.

McREL’s Power Walkthrough software and training helps school leaders turn their regular classroom observations into “power walkthroughs” by using Palm or Windows Mobile hand-held devices loaded with McREL software that uses McREL’s popular manual,

Classroom Instruction that Works, as the basis for classroom observations. The software facilitates brief classroom visits that focus on effective instructional strategies, the level of student engagement, the use of technology, and several other factors that research has shown to influence student learning.