04-15-2003, 02:00 AM
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Pupil
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 26
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HanDBase for Mission Critical Solutions - Wichita Public School
HanDBase from DDH Software Inc. is an award winning* database and application design solution. By using HanDBase clients have been able to solve real-world problems quickly and efficiently. Wichita Public Schools is a premiere HanDBase user and discusses the solution they have been able to implement.
Situation
�Administrators in the Wichita Public Schools were faced with the challenge of providing a method to collect data that could be used to drive improvement of instruction at their schools. With an eye towards the future, a paper-based walkthrough observation process was established in 2002. The key aspect to this process was to collect data with a quick snapshot of instructional activities in the classroom. Many observations of the classroom over time would create a mosaic of the skills of the school�s teachers and identify any areas of weakness that could be addressed by administrators.�
�The walkthrough process was initially designed as a form-based process with spaces provided for scripting observations. A group of elementary principals studied the form and simplified it into a series of checklists to reduce the amount of scripting required to complete the form. The process still required the management of a large number of paper-based forms by administrators and a paperless method of collecting the data was needed.�
Solution
�Palm handheld computers were being adopted in the district the same time of the implementation of the walkthrough process. Early users of this technology were quick to see that the handheld computers could be used to efficiently and reliably collect the same data as the paper based forms. Several handheld database software packages were used to develop the pilot walkthrough process. None of the early pilot attempts resulted in an application that was easy to use, expandable, reliable, and cross-platform capable.�
The Best Solution: HanDBase
�A committee investigating the use of handheld computers in the district was asked to recommend a handheld database application which could be used to support the walkthrough process. The top five handheld database applications, as based on handheld software web site download statistics, were considered. An evaluation matrix was created including the following parameters: cost, ease of use, flat versus relational database, handheld and desktop cross-platform capability, flexibility, interaction with Microsoft Office software, expandability, and support. The committee quickly discovered that HanDBase Professional provided the best solution for the district�s initial and future handheld computing database needs.�
Convenience and Ease of Use:
�The walkthrough observation process was converted to HanDBase at the beginning of the current year and was piloted by principals at several elementary schools. The application worked far better that our initial expectations based on our previous experiences with other database applications. The principals were impressed with its convenience and ease of use.�
�The HanDBase walkthrough was quickly rolled out and provided for the rest of the elementary schools in the district within several months after the pilot. Principals were provided with an hour of training, a trial version of HanDBase, and the walkthrough application. Most of the participants upgraded to a full HanDBase Professional license once they experienced the advantages of the software.�
Benefits
Improve Efficiencies
� �HanDBase reduced the amount of time I needed to collate the data for our walkthroughs,� stated Richard Wertz, Principal of Park Elementary School. �Once I sync my Palm handheld I am free to evaluate the data in either MS Excel or Access.� �
HanDBase used for Mission Critical solutions
�Greg Rasmussen, Instructional Technology Director of Wichita Public Schools recognizes the systemic changes caused by HanDBase in the district. �The HanDBase software has helped us to unleash the true power of handheld computing by allowing our administrators and teachers to do things they have not been able to do before. Because of HanDBase we have not simply adopted technology for the sake of technology but are using it to accelerate the momentum of a mission critical concept like classroom data management.� �
Future Plans
�The use of HanDBase with the walkthrough application was a tipping point for our district. Principals are now promoting a similar process to collect other data such as absences, behavior, and instructional standards in their schools on handheld computers. The capability of HanDBase to sync with MS Access allows ease of school wide data collection needed for data driven decision-making.�
�We have begun to share our success with HanDBase with other schools and districts in Kansas via presentations and hosting visits. The ease of use and reliability of HanDBase sells itself.�
More Information
HanDBase allows anyone to develop useful solutions without the need to learn specialized skills.
With HanDBase you can design on the Desktop or right on your PDA, build custom forms, share information with other users and do so without learning any programming languages. You can synchronize with the desktop either to the HanDBase Desktop version, to MS Access (Professional version), or to any ODBC compliant source (Enterprise Version). You can even synchronize with other users by using Bluetooth or infrared. DDH Software has also recently added the ability to synchronize multiple users to one database!
HanDBase was designed to work with both the Pocket PC and Palm OS. In a dual-platform environment HanDBase offer the flexibility to share databases without having to convert the data. You can even wirelessly synchronize between platforms!
To find out more about HanDBase from DDH Software Inc., please visit our Web site. Prices begin as low as $29.99 US.
*Awards
� PocketPC Magazine Best Software Awards 2002 and 2001
� Finalist, Best Business Solution Handango awards, 2002
� Exclusive Palm Platinum Certified Database Program
� Handheld Computing Best Database Application 2000
� Top 50 Download on Palmgear & Handango
� ZDNet PDA Awards Finalist, 2001
Case Content by: Jim Clark of the Wichita Public School system
Prepared by: Darren Humphries, Business Development Manager for DDH Software Inc.
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The above article is a paid advertisement for DDH SOFTWARE and does not necessarily represent the views of Pocket PC Thoughts.
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