Old hat in a brave new world – the impact of technology ageing in managed learning environments

This paper reports on the progress of a project at the University of Glasgow to investigate the benefits of PDAs (Personal Digital Assistant) as teaching, learning and revision tools and the practicalities of deploying PDAs and measuring their use. A pilot study in 2003, funded by LTSN Engineering, highlighted additional benefits of CAA assessment methods when CAA is combined with PDAs, allowing fully ubiquitous use by students1,2. Each student was loaned a PDA which contained a logging application to record when the PDA was used along with a quiz application to deliver formative self- assessment questions. Additional applications were pre- installed on each PDA, the applications included chemical tables, a scientific calculator and document readers. The students were encouraged to install their choice of additional applications on the PDA’s. The students used the PDAs during lecture and practical laboratory sessions and were allowed to take the device home.