PDAs

Perhaps you have already encountered this scenario: Your child comes home from school complaining that all the other kids have PDAs and insists that s/he should have one as well. Do you relent and buy one?

If you are a parent who is not especially familiar with computer technology, it may be hard to tell whether or not a PDA is really an educational necessity. Just what is a PDA, anyway? What are they used for, and how much do they cost?

Select a question below to learn more about PDAs. Use the navigation to the left to learn about other technologies.

1. What does "PDA" stand for?
2. What does a PDA look like?
3. What can a PDA do?
4. How could my child use a PDA for school?
5. How could my child misuse a PDA at school?
6. Aren't PDAs too complicated for children?
7. Are there different kinds of PDAs? Who makes them?
8. Will my child be required to have a PDA for school?
9. How much does a PDA cost?
10. What is the difference between a PDA and a handheld computer?
11. Where can I buy a PDA?

How could my child misuse a PDA at school?

One of the goals of the electronics industry is to make the PDA an integrated work and entertainment device. This means that your average PDA offers plenty of avenues for distraction (electronic games, MP3s, text messaging, etc.) from important school activities.

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