Hardware Allocation The 1996 National Educational Technology goals aimed for all schools to obtain a ratio of five students per multimedia computer by the year 2000. Figures from the National Center for Education Statistics indicate that many schools reached this figure or better, with the national average in 2000 being 6:1. Purchasing hardware and building a network have been high priorities for the nation's schools. Effectively distributing this hardware to optimize the return on investment of technology expenditures is a decision affected by numerous factors. 1999 Data for U.S. Schools 15 U.S. ratio of students per computer: 6:1 Students per Internet computer: 9:1 Medium and large schools have higher ratios than smaller schools (9:1 vs 6:1) Urban schools have higher ratios than rural schools (11:1 vs 7:1) High poverty schools have higher ratios than low poverty schools (16:1 vs 7:1) On the Horizon Handheld Computers Small handheld computers, also called PDAs for personal digital assistants, were developed for busy executives and marketed as a quick and easy method to store and retrieve data such as calendars, contact information, and task lists. The power and capacity of these small devices has increased dramatically, however, and a wide variety of peripherals can be attached to them to increase their capacity. These aspects, combined with their relatively low cost, make them robust minicomputers ideal for many student activities. Arguably, the graphing calculator is more pervasive and can demonstrate greater impact and utility in science and math classrooms than more cumbersome desktop or laptop computers. A handheld computer can run calculator software and much more. Students can attach probes to measure salinity, temperature, light, and air pressure—to mention just a few properties—and can do so in a lab, on a bus, or in the field. Students can also share their data with teachers and other students through wireless or infrared connections. The activities commonly performed on handheld devices differ from those on desktop and laptop computers. Handheld devices are most often used for rapid storage and retrieval of information, while desktop computers are most often used for composition (of reports, presentations, and multimedia). Handheld computers are a valuable resource many schools are utilizing to leverage their investment in desktop computers. For more information on handheld computers, visit ProbeSight!, sponsored by the Concord Consortium.