The document summarizes the Palm PAL Project at NC State University, which provided PDAs to staff in the Division of Student Affairs to increase their comfort with technology. Participants were paired with a "pal" for training and support. The project aimed to make staff more productive and able to advise students on technology uses. It served as a model for testing new technologies. Participants gained skills in using PDAs for tasks like email, calendars, note-taking and presenting. Hardware and software options were discussed. The presentation addresses implementing similar projects and getting buy-in for educational technology.

1. Leslie Dare, Ed.D.
Amanda G. Thomas
Eddie D. Lovett, II
Student Affairs
Division of
The Palm PAL Project:
A Digital Invitation to Join the Millennium
NASPA Annual Conference
Tampa, FL
March 21, 2005

2. Presentation Agenda
I. Purpose of Presentation
II. Why are you here?
III. Historical Perspective
IV. Student Affairs Culture
V. Overview of Palm PAL
VI. Tips for Student Affairs
VII. Ways to implement
VIII. Software/Hardware Suggestions
IX. Questions and Answers

3. Why Are You Here?
• Learn about the Palm PAL Project
• Learn how to encourage PDA use in your area
• Share Success Stories (Brag!)
• Play and Learn the PDA Way

4. Alphabet Soup
• PDA
Personal Digital Assistant; also called a “handheld” or “handheld computer” and
sometimes specifically referred to by a particular brand, such as a “Palm.”
• DETS
Distance Education & Technology Services; this is the unit in our student affairs
organization that led the Palm PAL Project.
• DETAG
Distance Education/Technology Advisory Group; this is the representative team of
student affairs staff who advise the DETS unit and served as the first participants in the
Palm PAL Project.
• PAL
Paperless - Assessment - Learning; this describes the key features of this initiative; this
also describes the pairing of a tech support person (the “pal”) with a participant.

5. Snapshot of the past
5 years ago…
– Email was all the rage and main form of communication.
– Web surfing centered around our desktop.
– Forms were completed on paper.
– Planners were the way we kept our schedules and to-do lists.
– Used pad and paper to take notes during meetings.

6. 2005…Offices Today
• In our offices today….
PDAs are being used by more and more staff
Warehouse/inventories are kept using handheld
Staff are beaming each other documents and other essential
items.
Wireless Access (Instant Messaging, Web browsing)
Tracking Assessment and analyze data.
Responding to email on PDAs
Keeping your calendar on PDAs
Typing on your handheld memos and agendas.
PowerPoint presentations using PDAs.

7. Usage Survey
• How long have you had your palm/PDA?
• On a scale of 1 to 10, how productive are you?
• What is its primary function?
– To do List
– Addresses
– Email
– Calendar
– E-Books
– Word Processing
– Games

8. Evolution of a Project
 Problem: Technophobia & Techno-ignorance
• Members of our Division’s technology advisory group (DETAG) expressed a
lack of experience and comfort with technology.
• Likewise, there were only small pockets of true technology innovation in the
Division, despite a generally positive attitude at all levels. (Good attitude, but
not much action; or lots of talk, little walk)
 Solution: Immersion Therapy
• Each member of DETAG was provided with a PDA, accompanied by training
and one-on-one support.
 Success: Spread the Joy
• DETAG recommended that our Division’s senior leadership team be included
in the Palm PAL project.

9. Project Objectives
1. Ability to share their skill/knowledge with
others (train others).
2. Ability to advise constituents on potential
uses for delivering services and programs.
3. Transfer (application) of knowledge.
4. Overall Division comfort with technology.

10. Programmatic Outcomes
1. The project will create a model for future pilot testing to be done
by DETS, including “train the trainer” and proficiency in product
research.
2. DETAG will be more comfortable with technology, enabling them
to better advise their constituents, and the Division as a whole.
3. DETAG will become a more cohesive group through this unifying
experience.
4. The project will Increase awareness in the division, regionally,
and nationally for DETS through exposure of this project through
communication with others.

11. Implementation Process
1. Create Project file using Microsoft Project.
2. Establish timeline, set goals and prioritized tasks.
3. Researched and purchased necessary equipment.
4. Consult with participants.
5. Give participants Palm.
6. Schedule on going training.
7. Access project and learning outcomes.
8. Teach participants to consult.

12. Learning Outcomes
The participants will demonstrate:
• an increase in cognitive skills related to technology in
general
• an increase in cognitive skills related to PDAs
• an increase in comfort related to technology in general
• an increase in comfort related to PDAs
• an increase in personal productivity.
• the ability to use appropriate terminology related to the use
of a PDA.

13. Question and Answers
?

14. Typical Palm Day
• Hotsync Palm
– Sync info from last night.
– Download email.
– Update calendar.
• Alarm for Meeting
– 15 minute warning
– Updated location
• Read email before meeting
– Respond to student (wireless vs. non-wireless)
– Read agenda for meeting.
– Monthly report date changed (Non-Date event)

15. Typical Palm Day
• Use Margi for meeting
– Quick set-up.
– Remote control.
• Productivity hour
– Update next weeks agenda.
– Notes for next meeting.
– Respond to another email.
• Share business card
• Private document
• Return to office

16. Hardware & Software Suggestions
• Hardware
– Hard and Soft cases
– Wireless cards
– Bluetooth cards
– SD memory cards
– Carrying bags
– Presenter-to-Go ( Margi)
– Keyboards
• Software
– Email
• Nexis
• Intellisync
– Databases
• HanDbase
• Docs-to-go
– Web
• AvantGo
– Documents
• Docs-to-go
• Adobe Reader
– Books
• eReader
• Makeabook
– Games
• Palm Gear
• Google

17. How do we get Buy in?
• How is your campus using technology?
• How do we get PDAs on the radar and funded?
• What are some of the obstacles that may hinder
your objective(s)?
• Any success stories?

18. Top 10 Handhelds
1. HP IPaq Pocket PC H4150………….$449
2. Asus MyPal A716 4415……………….$415
3. HP IPaq Pocket PC H4350………….$499
4. Toshiba Pocket PC E405 ………..….$299
5. Sony Clie PEG-TH55 ……………...….$400
6. Toshiba Pocket PC E800 ……..…….$599
7. PalmOne Zire 72 ……………..…….….$299
8. PalmOne Tungsten E ……………..….$199
9. PalmOne Tungsten C ……………..….$399
10. PalmOne Zire 31 ……………………….$149
Taken from Pcworld.com, October 2004

19. Discarded Proposal Titles
1. Palm PALS: Converting the Technophobes
2. Palm PALS: From Skeptics to Believers
3. Palm PALS: The Technophobes
4. Digital Connections, Collegial Intersections
5. Digital Connections, Collegial Reflections
6. Digital Connections, Human Intersections
7. Digital Connections, Perfection, Inspection,
Resurrection, Reflection,
8. Group Perceptions of Digital Connections
9. challenging the technophobe
10. Acclimating the non-believers
11. Converting non-believers…..late
adopters……
12. Leading horses to water
13. Easing them in
14. Desensitizing the technophobes
15. Immersion therapy
16. Shock therapy
17. Confront your fears
18. Comfort before
19. Eating out of our palms
20. One Palm in the hand is worth two
desktops
21. Handhelds across America
22. Geeks come out of the closet

20. Leslie A. Dare, Ed.D.
Amanda G. Thomas
Eddie D. Lovett, II
Division of Student Affairs
NC State University
Campus Box 7301
Raleigh, NC 27695-7301
919.515.2446
leslie_dare@ncsu.edu
amanda_thomas@ncsu.edu
eddie_lovett@ncsu.edu
•This Project & Presentation
http://www.ncsu.edu/student_affairs/naspa05/
•Distance Education & Technology Services (Student Affairs, NC State)
http://www.ncsu.edu/student_affairs/dets/
•Division of Student Affairs (NC State)
http://www.ncsu.edu/student_affairs/
The Palm PAL Project:
A Digital Invitation to Join the Millennium