“It’s exciting to see our platform applied to a dynamic education environment rich with interaction and information. It’s fulfilling to provide cutting-edge technology to a demographic group that is sometimes underserved when it comes to computer technology education. Here’s a case where the girls will have better access to new technology than the boys,” said Saul Kato, CEO of WideRay.

CSH students are using PalmÔ handheld computers to access content and applications residing on WideRay Jack mobile caching servers in their daily routines to increase communication, personal organization and provide access to powerful interactive applications. Students can access school policies, syllabi, class rosters, homework assignments, testing calendars, activities, sports schedules and daily bulletins, as well as the daily schedule.

Using WideRay’s HTML and SQL based content development system, students are creating new content for distribution, including the school newspaper. The math department will distribute a graphing calculator program; the science department will use probes and transfer their data to the handheld for collection and analysis; and more educational programs are being developed as the program progresses.

“We are excited about this opportunity to utilize WideRay's Jack servers to deliver dynamic content to our freshman class on a daily basis. The Palm is a wonderful complement to the strong technology program at CSH, providing students with an organizational tool which will enhance our communication and support their education,” stated Doug Grant, Head of School.

Every CSH freshman student has been issued a Palm. CSH has provided each member of the faculty with a Palm and will create opportunities for professional development throughout the year. Freshman faculty will meet periodically to review and evaluate the program. Students will be surveyed, formally and informally, for feedback and suggestions. Additionally, academic departments will research other educational deployments of handheld technology.

"Here is a perfect example of a school addressing the technological needs of their students," said Mike Lorion, vice president of education for Palm, Inc. "Today's students are constantly on the go as they change classes, meet with teachers, and participate in clubs, student government and other extracurricular activities. CSH is capitalizing on the effectiveness of handheld computers in the classroom and on technologies such as WideRay's Jack that make it easy to access, collaborate, share and distribute information in this dynamic environment."