“One tablet per child” – hardware is hardly enough By Paul Wedel

 The work of K.I.Asia in helping Thai schools make better use of IT has taught us that far more important than any hardware is the software provided with it and the management that supports it. If tablets are to be really useful in Thai schools, much work needs to be done before the goodies are handed out.

Thai teachers in K.I.Asia’s One Computer Classroom program, now supported by Boeing, learn how to incorporate video into their teaching and how to encourage students to use the computer in group learning projects.

.Here is my list of the ten most important steps to take before 800,000 tablets are bought and distributed to Thai schools.

 1.     Study the research on use of laptops elsewhere in the world as well as Thailand’s own experience in using computers in the classroom

2.     Decide which parts of the Thai curriculum, for each subject, at each grade level, are best taught using the tablet and which are best taught by other methods

3.     Develop specific teaching methodologies and lesson plans that will enable teachers to make effective use of the devices for those parts of the curriculum

4.     Digitize existing textbooks and load them onto the tablets

5.     Identify, review and select available teaching software for the tablets, encouraging development of Thai-specific learning software, if necessary, and load the software onto the tablets

6.     Identify additional reading for the advanced student and the slow learner for each subject at each level, digitize it and load it onto the tablets

7.     Launch a pilot program in at least 100 schools to test the devices, teaching methodologies, support systems and digitized materials. Small, poor and rural schools should be the focus of the pilots because everything that works in these schools will probably work even better in the larger, richer schools.

8.     Train pilot school teachers in the tablet methodologies, software and materials

9.     Train pilot school administrators on the best ways to manage, technically support and evaluate teaching with the tablets

10.  Evaluate the experience of the pilot schools and adjust materials, methodologies, software, technical support systems and management accordingly and roll out to other schools in a systematic way

Clearly, there is much work to do to convert a catchy campaign promise into a viable educational program, but it doesn’t have to take years. A pilot program could begin in 2012 and a phased roll-out started a year later. Success or failure will depend on how well the program is planned and implemented, not on which hardware is bought or how quickly it is handed out.

These are my thoughts. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on how best to introduce tablet computers to Thai schools so they can help make a real and much-needed improvement in learning.

How do tablets help learning? – Let me count the ways by Paul Wedel

The campaign pledge of the Pheu Thai Party to provide primary school students with tablet computers has stirred considerable controversy, with critics abounding.

Dr. Olarn Chaipravat, chief economic strategist of the party, insists the new government will go ahead with its promise to provide Android tablet computers to 800,000 to 1 million middle-school children nationwide in 2012.  Party officials say the primary school computer handout will be followed by distribution of more powerful devices to students in the higher grades. Dr. Olarn says the program is “aimed at solving the issue of the lack of skills in both foreign languages and mathematics among our children" – undoubtedly a good objective.

Five Reasons Why Students Should Use a Tablet PC

K.I.Asia’s yearsof experience in the use of computers in Thai schools and recent research in other countries indicate that tablets can help. Let me list the ways:

•       An intuitive interface and the use of an electronic pen make tablets easy for even very young students to use
•      Tablets help students organize notes, presentations and texts for more efficient learning
•       Journal diagrams can easily be drawn, annotated and shared
•       Teachers can mark, comment on and return students’ electronic documents more efficiently
•       Pupils find tablet computers fun to use, so they are motivated to do school work on them
•       Working in groups is more efficient because work files can be easily shared
•       Easy wireless links allow in-school communication as well as access to the Internet.
•       Tablets can be used both in school and at home
•       Tablets eliminate the need for a “computer room” filled with desktop PCs where little subject learning takes place
•       Books can be read on screen, replacing heavy paper books and cutting costs for printing and distributing them
•       Assignment dates can be transmitted to tablets, reminding children of work due

•       Educational videos and other visual materials can be used that research shows enable children to learn more effectively
•       Numerous “learning apps” are available and the number is growing
•       Children can learn at their own pace with materials based on individual learning needs
•        “Parent Portals” can be set up that allow parents to see their children’s schedules, teacher contact information, grades and information on helping their children learn

To reduce concerns about access to inappropriate web sites, technology such as the “Kineo” tablet could be used. This allows school officials to control the books and lessons that appear on each student's Kineo. Another possibility is “SafeStart,” a controlled interface that allows children to access only approved applications and websites.

There are, of course, some downsides to use of tablets in schools. These include:
•       High initial cost that takes money away from other important needs like better salaries for teachers
•       Time needed for initial set-up, including the loading of appropriate content
•       Need for good technical support and fast wireless access
•       Short battery life that may require in-school re-charging
•       Low screen illumination
•       Electronic pens are easily lost
•       Wireless networks can be slow, frustrating downloads of some media

 The latest tablets, however, have been improved to deal with some of the technical problems cited in earlier studies at much lower costs. But hardware selection is not the critical issue.

 A recent study published in the Journal of Research on Technology in Education focused on the use of tablets for children aged three to six. It concluded that there was high child interest and quick learning on the tablets. “Although technical issues in learning this new technology were encountered, children were interested and persisted without frustration,” the authors wrote. “What seems to matter for children’s learning is the ways teachers choose to implement this technology.”

 Although international experience with tablets in the classroom has generally been positive, how best should the devices be introduced and managed in Thailand?  In my next blog I will suggest the ten things that should be done before the new Thai government distributes tablet computers to schools. In the meantime, I welcome your comments.