Palm Inc. and SRI International Bring Handheld Computing Technology Into the Classroom Through Grant Program

Business Wire, Oct 25, 2000

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 25, 2000

SRI International to Study the Educational Benefits of Handhelds;

Eight Developers Demonstrate Solutions for Elementary and

High Schools at NSBA Technology Learning Conference

Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM) and SRI International, a leading, independent technology innovator, today here at the NSBA Technology Learning Conference announced the Palm Education Pioneers (PEP) program which will award grants of Palm(TM) handheld computers to K-12 teachers and their students. This technology grant program will enable teachers to incorporate Palm handheld computers into their lessons and provide them to every student in their class. Students and teachers in more than 100 classrooms nationally will participate in the program.

"The number one goal of the U.S. Department of Education is to provide equitable access to technology-based learning tools," said Mike Lorion, vice president of education at Palm. "Tools, such as the Palm handheld computers, meet this goal by providing affordable, mobile and versatile solutions. The PEP grants are an example of Palm's commitment to help spur innovation in teaching and learning."

Palm selected SRI International to conduct the research program to evaluate the learning uses experiences, and effectiveness of Palm handheld computers. SRI's Center for Technology in Learning was selected for its expertise in designing and evaluating the impact, appropriateness and significance of educational technology. In addition to capturing and publishing best practices, the research results are expected to assist teachers, hardware and software designers and policy makers in considering the affordability, mobility and flexibility of Palm handheld computers and their potential for the learning environment.

"SRI is committed to researching, understanding and integrating state-of-the-art-technology to improve teaching and learning processes and outcomes," said Roy Pea, Ph.D., director of the Center for Technology in Learning at SRI International. "The PEP program is a major step forward in this pursuit, as it focuses in taking technology that until now has been used primarily in the business environment and exploring the benefits it holds in the classroom setting."

Palm will provide details of the PEP research grant program to teachers at the NSBA T L Conference at a breakfast session on Friday, Oct. 27, at 7:30 a.m. in Room A-101/103 of the Denver Convention Center.

A briefing for the news media is scheduled at 5 p.m. today in the T L press room C-110 of the Denver Convention Center.

More information about PEP grants is available at http://www.palmgrants.sri.com/

At the NSBA T L Conference Palm will exhibit in Booth No. 525, demonstrating Palm's family of handheld computers and accessories, the Palm HotSync(R) Server and Ethernet cradle. The booth will have a hands-on kiosk where attendees can test-drive various products, and demonstration stations highlighting learning tools by eight Palm developers, including:

-- Aptus Technologies' praestoGRADE is a robust, yet easy-to-learn grading
solution for recording student work, calculating grades and generating reports.


-- Centrinity's FirstClass software, recognized for its scalability and
reliability, provides education with learning tools that are student-centered,
cross platform, customizable, easy to implement and simple to use.

-- eHomeRoom's Internet Calendar tracks all school and non-school activities in
one integrated and customizable calendar.

-- ImagiWorks' ImagiLab(TM) family is a series of turnkey, portable,
sensor-based computer laboratory systems for Palm OS, Mac OS and Windows that
support a variety of educational topics and disciplines for schools.

-- inResonance applications demonstrate the administrative power and utility of
Palm applications derived from Jfile and FileMaker databases.

-- Scholastic.com's new application provides educational content for students
and planning tools for teachers via Palm(TM) handheld computers, including the
News Zone, Best Lessons, and an Events Calendar.

-- SunBurst's Learner Profile(TM) to Go software allows a teacher to gather
assessment information as it occurs on a Palm handheld computer.

-- PiCoMap is a concept mapping application conceived by the University of
Michigan's Highly Interactive Computing in Education group (HICE).

During the NSBA T L Conference, Palm will present the following workshops on handheld computing:

Introduction to Palm Handheld Computers

Adam's Mark Hotel, Silver Room (Tower Building, Mezzanine Level)

Thursday, Oct. 26 11 a.m. to noon and 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 27 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Advanced Palm Handheld Computing

Adam's Mark Hotel, Silver Room (Tower Building, Mezzanine Level)

Thursday, Oct. 26 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 27 11 a.m. - noon and 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

For Technology Leadership Network (TLN) members, Palm is sponsoring an event at the Denver Aquarium on Friday, Oct. 27, 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.

About Palm, Inc.