Learning & Leading Through Technology

BUYER’Sguide

Smartphones and tablets are affordable alternatives to com- puters in schools, and a growing number of inexpensive and free classroom applications are available. But because of the limited surface on a smartphone, tiny keyboards with raised keys have given way to touchscreens.

Many young people have mastered the art of typing with their thumbs, but shortcuts and errors have increased, and typing longer documents is impractical. Tablets brought touchscreens, which are bigger but do not have the functionality of a traditional keyboard. For both speed and precision, nothing compares to a full-size keyboard, and portable keyboards greatly improve the functionality of mobile devices.

Harald Bluetooth, the king of Denmark 1,000 years ago, was skilled at getting diverse factions to communicate with each other. Bluetooth technology, named after the king, enables connections without cables among computers, mobile devices, and peripherals, such as keyboards.

Battery Life

Unlike USB keyboards, wireless keyboards use replaceable or rechargeable batteries. Some models have batteries that you charge with a mini-USB cable.

Size and Usability

If you are a touch typist and use the
correct fingers for all of the keys, a
full-size keyboard will serve you best,
and you won’t have to compromise on
functionality. Many Bluetooth key-
boards made for desktop computers,
such as those offered by Apple, Belkin,
and Logitech, work with smartphones
and tablets. Lighter and smaller op-
tions, such as the Brookstone, Perixx,
and Verbatim models, are more por-
table. Slightly smaller keyboards work
just fine, particularly for children
whose fingers span a shorter distance.

Making a Decision Try a keyboard out before purchasing it. Check to see if it works with all of your devices. Try out the function keys and Control, Option, and Command key combinations. Have both teachers and students type on it. Once you’ve made your choice, wireless keyboards will increase the usefulness of mobile devices in and outside of the classroom.