Age group for which this tool is beneficial:
Middle School
High School & Beyond

To what category does this tool belong?
Low-tech tools (often battery powered, highly portable)

Skills strengthened with the help of this tool:
Both organizational and academic

How does the tool work?
PDA's, like Palm Pilots or Blackberries, offer amazing support for organizing school work, remembering due dates, measuring success and improving notetaking and assignment writing.

What is the benefit to the user?
Especially benefits the visual learner. Has virtually eliminated "I forgot" or "I didn't know" in our house! Organizationally...Keeps track of ALL assignments and due dates; you don't turn the page and "lose" work.
Academically - can write extensive notes and assignments, download to your computer and print.

Can add a lot of software - Word, Inspirations story webbing, dictionaries and Student 4.0 for example, that increase the functions of the PDA. Some PDA's come with voice memos to record classes or take notes. Some PDA's come with cameras - handy to take a snap shot of the board.

Other information to consider:
More fun to enter via keyboard or stylo pen than handwriting in a pen & paper agenda.

Can be from $50 - $300 depending on the level of functions and features desired.