SUPPORT STUDENTS’ OUTDOOR EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES WITH HANDHELD TECHNOLOGY

Daniel Churchill and David Kennedy, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Handhelds and smart phones have become more commonly available. This paper describes an inquiry involving the use of handheld devices with a group of school students engaged in a fieldtrip. Throughout the six-day trip to Northern Thailand, students engaged in variety of activities, with the aim of acquiring some of the key concepts and skills of the Year 12 Geography. The student used handhelds for data collection, collaboration and reflection. A variety of qualitative data was gathered. Analysis of the data has resulted in the development of a better understanding of the potential educational applications for handhelds.