HANDHELDS IN A GRADE TWO CLASSROOM: INNOVATIONS TO SUPPORT KNOWLEDGE-BUILDING AND EPISTEMIC AGENCY

Abstract: This paper reports work-in-progress of a design experiment examining the use of handheld (PDA) computers in a grade two classroom. Specifically, the focal problem under investigation asks, how can the technological affordances of inexpensive handhelds be directed toward the support of knowledge-building and epistemic agency? Researcher observations are documented over a six-week period as a number of innovations are examined within a technologically enriched grade 2 classroom (N=22). Preliminary findings suggest the handheld can be an effective technological assist in the knowledge-building classroom and there is some evidence to suggest that the handhelds may have a role in fostering epistemic agency