Keyboards

For some users typing a quantity of text using the onscreen keyboard is tiring. Equally so, using the mobile phone keypad can take some getting used to if you’re creating many emails. Keyboards can be purchased to suit your device and your needs ie USB, Bluetooth or Infrared projected display.

Many portable keyboards for use with PDAs come as foldable versions like the Dell Foldable keyboard. You can also purchase Bluetooth versions for example the Freedom Bluetooth Keyboard that works with Pocket PCs and Smartphones.
PocketTop and Belkin also produce a range of Infrared and Bluetooth keyboards for Palm and Pocket PC devices.

 

How can I use text input on a handheld device for teaching and learning?

 

If you’re using the hand recognition mode and you’re left-handed you might find the recognition capability somewhat hit and miss. Try to see if your PDA can change the screen orientation to Landscape to make it easier to hold and hold the stylus more upright for the ‘virtual ink’ to identify your character formation. 

For something completely different you could try the Bluetooth Virtual keyboard from ITech Dynamic that projects a full-size Qwerty keyboard through infrared technology onto any flat surface. The infrared keyboard behaves exactly like a real one including realistic key-tapping sounds

Quicklinks

Technical Tips

• Synchronisation

• Internet Connection

• Bluetooth

• Keyboards

• Projection

• PDAs

• Smartphones

• Digital audio players

• Software

• Podcasts

• Cameras and Images

Other sections

In Practice

Examples and ideas showing practical ways to use the different devices in the classroom and out and about

Choose the Right Device

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

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