Most colleges and universities embraced personal computers more than a decade ago. Today’s students expect to receive course assignments, do research, pass in assignments and even take exams online by using personal computers. Students no longer even need to be on a campus as "distance learning" grows in popularity.

Thanks to Corey Spencer, a Brigham Young University programmer, college students will soon be able to do these same activities on a handheld computer that fits in a shirt pocket. Spencer has created software that reformats the data in such a manner that it can be displayed on the 4-inch-square screens used in Palm and Windows CE devices.

BYU started with a pilot program for one of its independent study courses—"American Government, Part 1" — for high school students seeking a little summer or after-school enrichment. All that students will need to take the course is $92, heir own handheld computer, and a wireless modem. University-level classes for the palm-sized computers are planned for this fall.

Brigham Young University has not yet announced any genealogy-related courses in the new format. However, since this is one of the leading universities for family history studies, I would speculate that such courses will be available on a tiny screen before too long.

Further details are available in an online Salt Lake Tribune article at: www.sltrib.com/2001/Jul/07132001/utah/utah.htm.

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