First it was cell phones, followed by laptop computers. Now, the latest technological craze among high school and college students are handhelds and smartphones. Like their electronic predecessors, these devices are not absolute necessities for students. However, handhelds and smartphones can be quite beneficial for the modern student seeking an education - as long as they are used responsibly and practically.

If you’re not familiar with the technology, handhelds and smartphones are basically miniaturized versions of personal computers, many with all the bells and whistles contained in their larger desktop or laptop counterparts. Handhelds, also referred to as personal digital assistants (PDAs) or palmtops, operate through the use of a stylus or touchscreen (they’re too small for full-sized keyboards) and use stripped down or “pocket” versions of standard software and hardware. Designed to supplement a personal computer system, the devices can be fully integrated and can be synchronized with a stationary system. Handhelds run many of the same software applications: e-mail, instant messaging, word processing programs, multimedia applications, Internet browsers and more. Smartphones take this technology a step further by combining a PDA with a cell phone in one device. Handhelds and smartphones provide true on-the-go power for today’s technology-savvy student.

Why should a student invest in (or be gifted with) a handheld or smartphone? Teens and young adults often desire these devices as status symbols. It’s “cool” to have a handheld or smartphone! For this reason, concerned parents and educators stress the importance of using handhelds and smartphones responsibly - lunchtime is far better for instant messaging and e-mail activities than class time. However, there are many benefits for students in possession of a handheld or smartphone device.

Handhelds and smartphones cover the basic needs of students in today’s educational system. They must be able to take notes (word processing software), store reference material (several gigs of hard drive space for e-books and downloaded articles), create spreadsheets or presentations (PowerPoint and Excel), keep track of class schedules (calendar and appointment software), and manage school assignments (to-do list capabilities). Of course, many modern students have active social lives, and the devices may also be used to store contact information.

The absence of associated noise with a handheld or smartphone is one of the many benefits to students. Those who have used laptops to take notes during lectures may have noticed a somewhat constant whirring sound that can easily distract the attention of both the laptop user and his or her nearby classmates. Laptops are larger pieces of machinery operating sensitive hardware at high temperatures, and therefore require cooling fans to function. Because handhelds and smartphones are much smaller and do not heat as fast or as much, they are completely silent during operation. There aren’t even any distracting keys to click, because most data input operations with handhelds and smartphones is accomplished with a stylus on a screen equipped with handwriting recognition software, such as the popular Graffiti program.

Another benefit to students using handhelds and smartphones is the decreasing cost. As the technology used to create these devices improves and advances, the cost of more basic models that don’t use the absolute latest developments but are still perfectly serviceable is on the decline. Parents of high school students, as well as college students on a tight budget, can invest a few hundred dollars for a relatively loaded handheld or smartphone device, whether it is purchased new or used.

Space is a major concern for modern overloaded students, who often have loads of textbooks and other material to transport from class to class. Handhelds, and particularly smartphones - which eliminate the need to have a cell phone separate from other digital devices - can address the concern of limited space. College students especially will benefit by owning a smartphone, as they often find themselves walking long distances across campus to get to the next class. For example: observe the student with a cell phone. He also enjoys listening to music between classes, so he has an MP3 player. Rather than taking notes in class, he records lectures to play back later - hence the digital recorder. Add a daily planner for class schedules and a camera for photography class, and you have instant overload. People only have so many pockets, and the more devices stuffed in them, the more weighted down they feel. Handhelds and smartphones are excellent space-savers, combining all these applications into one single pocket-sized rectangular box.

As with any electronic device, students who invest in handhelds or smartphones should be concerned with security. Especially in a high school or college campus setting, it’s a simple matter for your handheld or smartphone to “take a walk” when you’re not looking. Students considering the use of handhelds or smartphones should take extra precautions in the interests of personal security. Just as with a desktop PC, it is important to frequently back up data - in the case of handhelds and smartphones, the best backup is to transfer the files to a stationary system at least once a day, and more often if you can manage it. Also, password protection is great, but it is not enough for a portable device. Investing in added security for your handheld or smartphone is a wise move. The best thing students can do to protect their portable devices is to ensure that they keep them with them at all times - no stowing them in a locker during gym class (ask the teacher if you can lock it in the office) or leaving them lying on a lunch table while you make a dessert run.

When handhelds and smartphones are used responsibly, they can be excellent tools for the modern student. They are also handy for educators, who can rest assured that students who make practical use of handhelds and smartphones are taking diligent notes and doing great research. If you are a student, or the parent of a student, you may want to consider investing in a handheld or smartphone device for the upcoming school year.