Janet Muller teaches third grade at Duniway Elementary School in Portland, Oregon.

Several years ago, I found myself charged with the daunting task of turning a group of wiggly third graders into sophisticated little techno-wizards. Four new computers were delivered to my classroom and the school district packed me off to a series of amazing classes. Unfortunately I never learned how I could effectively use four computers with 26 little children, and I often found myself pondering the value of a computer program based on sign-up sheets.

I began looking for a way to bring some serious technology into my room that would allow simultaneous student access to equipment. Soon, I stumbled onto the Palm Education Pioneer Program (PEP), an experimental online grant program that offered teachers a unique opportunity to design a classroom technology project using Palm handhelds. My proposal was chosen for funding and last fall we received 30 Palm IIIc color screen handheldsand technology in Room 11 changed forever!

Each one of my third graders has his or her own Palm loaded with wonderful web sites, and when they arrive each morning, the students "hotsync" to one of the four classroom computers to download updated information. Together, we read the New York Times and Reuters News Service each morning. Throughout the day students type their spelling words and check special web sites. They zoom through Encarta Spanish dictionaries, studying the definitions of unfamiliar Spanish words; take math, geography, and science quizzes; write collaborative stories; draw detailed maps; create animated illustrations; and play interactive critical thinking games.

After a year with the Palms, my students are as well informed about current events as their parents. The average spelling grade is 92% and my little kiddos draw maps you have to see to believe! But the most rewarding part of this entire project has been the remarkable technology proficiency these children have developed on their own. Putting a Palm in their hands has provided daily opportunities for problem solving, practicing and experimentation.

My little third-graders WERE transformed into techno-wizards by virtue of opportunity. Rather than waiting for a seat at one of our desktop computers, they've been given an opportunity to take a hand-held computer to their seat and use this amazing technology to shine at the important business of third grade.