Using Planning Tools

All PDAs and many mobile phones come with some form of personal information management software. This availability is often called PIM functions. This can be used for learning in a number of ways including:

  • practice time management skills by creating calendar appointments
  • practice Maths skills – awareness of time, length of activity, sequence
  • use calculators to support other Maths activities
  • practice English skills looking at the a-z sequence of Address book, accuracy of personal details.
  • collaboratively work with learners to create a Group List of learning outcomes for a course/programme using Memo Pad/ Task to Do List.

For tutors it is important to be aware that knowledge and understanding of basic maths principles are required to practice calendar and calculations including the 24-hour format of time.

The PIM functions can also help with the management of teaching and learning by offering organisational and recording methods

In Practice
Redcar Adult Learning have trialled the use of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) within their management team where they had great resistance in returning to paper-based diaries and note pads.

“The time saved in not having to type up my notes after an observation is great. A real saving!” The use of a PDA is seen as unobtrusive and as it’s quick to turn on there’s no delay in capturing the vital evidence during observations.

blackberry 7290Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council use Blackberry 7290 devices to keep Adult Learning tutors informed of training events, minutes of weekly meetings and other useful and relevant information and it’s a way for the tutors to advise of learner attendance, queries or request for resources.  The tutors can also support their learners using the email function. The Outlook Calendar shows everyone’s commitments and appointments and a booking system, using the Calendar, allows tutors to reserve resources. 

In Practice

Cornwall Adult Education Service wanted to achieve a more efficient way of collecting essential data and therefore developed a Personal Learning Record, which was designed to be accessed on a PDA.
This has helped the learners by making the form easy to fill in at anytime throughout the session and has reduced the amount of paperwork to be completed. Although some learners indicate they prefer the ‘safety in paper’ they appreciate the easy and private method to complete the Personal Learning Record and at the ‘touch of a button’ upload the form to their own learning area on Moodle. This has helped speed up the collation of information and has allowed easy access to review the document as a live part of the learner’s programme.

 

screen pim functions

PIM functions offer the opportunity to become organised and efficient. For example:

    • Calendar
    • Clock
    • Alarm
    • Notes
    • Tasks/to do list
    • Contacts and Address Book
    qiblah phone

Devices like the LG Electronics F7100 Qiblah phone have an
in-built reminder system for Muslims to pray (Azan time) and a compass to indicate direction.

tryHave a look on your own device and find the Calendar function. Why not enter in an activity or reminder for tomorrow. 

Quicklinks

In Practice

Using Text

Using Sound

Using Images

Using SMS (Text)

Using MMS (Images)

Quizzes and Interactive activities

Out and About

Getting Connected

 

 

Other sections

Choose the Right Device

What to look for when buying the devices, reviews and suggestions

Technical Tips

Troubleshooting, software and hardware solutions

FAQs for Organisations

Issues and questions that organisations experience

Making it Accessible

Ways to use the technology accessibly

The Future

The changing world of handheld devices

Glossary

An a-z glossary of mobile technology terms