EOF STUDENTS FIND SUCCESS IN THE PALM OF THEIR HANDS
July 24, 2001, Bloomfield, NJ - For incoming students in Bloomfield College’s Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) summer program, the key to success may be right in the palm of their hands. The Bloomfield College EOF program recently became the first EOF program in the state to award Palm IIIC hand-held computers to all incoming students. This initiative is being funded thanks to a grant from the State of New Jersey.
The students will be able to keep the Palm IIIC if they maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better throughout their college career and complete their degree.
“The students are so excited you wouldn’t believe it,” said Rose Mitchell, Assistant Dean for Freshmen & Special Programs and Executive Director of EOF. “They are inspired by the technology, they’re curious, and you can already see how it’s sparking their desire to learn.”
With the Palm IIIC, students are able to link with Microsoft Outlook and have access to the Web as well as Internet messaging and e-mail. The Palm IIIC is also equipped with a memo pad for taking notes in class, an appointment book, an address book, a ‘to do’ list, a scientific calculator, and a program to keep track of expenses.
“It’s important because many of our students come from an environment where they wouldn’t have access to this technology. This is giving them a head start on being organized and being responsible. The Palms should help them advance not only in college, but in their careers; it’s truly a life management tool,” said Mitchell.
Elisabet Granados, an EOF student from Newark, says the Palm IIIC is giving her an edge as she enters her freshman year. “It’s very useful. I’m able to put my everyday
plans in there and get very organized. It’s got a reminder alarm that can tell you when it’s time to study or time for class,” she said. “I was very excited when Miss Mitchell told us we’d be getting them.”
To master the Palm IIIC, all EOF summer participants are taking a course taught by John Johnson, Vice President for Student Affairs at Bloomfield College. Still, many of the students have begun experimenting with the Palm computers and are figuring out the devices on their own.
“The other day, I saw EOF students beaming files to each other outside the cafeteria; they’re experts already,” laughed Mitchell. “I know that these Palm computers are going to create a real buzz on campus this fall.”
Mitchell’s idea to offer the Palm hand-held computers to EOF students arose after John Johnson, Vice President for Student Affairs, awarded Palm computers to all students who successfully completed the Project GRAD summer enrichment program.
Mitchell says Bloomfield College plans to conduct an assessment of the Palm IIIC initiative to measure its effectiveness. She hopes to continue offering the computers to EOF students and would like to extend the program to the general student population in the near future.
“We already know that it’s working just by seeing how motivated the students are becoming about their education. I’m thrilled with the effect this is having on the students,” she said.
The Educational Opportunity Program receives funding from the State of New Jersey to help educationally and economically disadvantaged students earn a degree. The EOF program at Bloomfield College is designed to provide supportive serves such as academic, career, financial, and personal counseling, as well as financial grants.
