Overview: The Plano Senior High School project, "The Ultimate Management Tool," was implemented in August, 2001, by teacher Laura Richey. The 30 students enrolled in her fall Family and Consumer Science Class Management were each provided with a Palm m100 handheld and a portable keyboard for use at school and at home. Each student was also provided with a cradle for use on their home computer during the semester. The goal of this project was to provide students with an opportunity to use technology as a life management resource. The project was repeated by Ms. Richey's second semester Home Economics Career Preparation class.

Implementation: During the semester, the students were assigned projects that integrated the use of their handheld device. These projects included activities to facilitate their development and mastery of effective management skills such as money management, time management, organizing information and written communication skills. The students used their Palm handheld devices and an assortment of software to track and analyze how they spent their time over a designated period, to plan and maintain a budget and bank account, to conserve time and energy by using the calendar function of the Palm, and to organize their tasks, including homework and assignments in other classes. The students particularly enjoyed the Palm version of Quicken. Some of the students prided themselves on balancing their checkbooks for the first time!

Evaluation: The project evaluation was based on the students' successful completion of curriculum assignments, teacher observation and monitoring of students' progress and use of the technology and surveys administered to parents, students and the teacher. The evaluation reflected a positive learning experience for the students both semesters. However, the teacher's feedback concluded that the project was more effective with the curriculum in the first semester Family and Consumer Science Class Management and recommended that the handhelds be used again next year with these students.

Barron Elementary School
Frankford Middle School
Plano Senior High School

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