Integrating Palm Devices into
the SOM Curriculum
lChallenges
•First session is very time intensive
•Training facilitators and library staff
―2 library lead instructors and 2 assistants
•Student device and operating system preferences
•Working with software vendors
•No standardization for application installation
•Evolving software options
•PDA damage and loss
•
As we any new instruction program, we were faced with various challenges.
The most significant challenge remains the amount of time and energy to prepare the devices for the first session of each rotation. Easily we spend 8 to 10 man hours on this.

The skill level of the library faculty ranged from novice to expert and some of us were not comfortable with instructing students how to use the devices, when we were learning as well.. We established regular training sessions, once a week for one hour. This was an opportunity for use to learn more about the devices, improve our skill base and increase our comfort level.

Some students came to the class with their own handheld devices – Pocket PC’s or Sony Clio’s, etc. And some students wanted to use their own devices rather than check out one we were providing. So we are still working with that one.

In addition, there is no standard for application installation. Some apps are more difficult than others to download; and the process can be time consuming and frustrating.

Over the course of the program, we have discarded some applications and added others – this based on usability and expressed preferences from faculty and students.

And then there have been issued with damage to the devices – we have had three screens broken and one device was dropped into water (possibly a toilet) and have had to be returned and fixed. We haven’t had a lost device yet, and we hope we don’t have to deal with that one.