Thai Education Ministry Sets Tablet PC Price At Bt2,400

[DP25]

I'm not saying either of those things. A tablet can be used anywhere in a school with one or a couple of wireless routers installed. A collection of desktops (which, individually, even for a basic model, cost multiples of the tablet) need a dedicated area (which DP25 envisions as being a costly, state-of-the-art room), which will restrict access and usage, just like we see in the provincial internet cafes. And,unless top of the range models are bought, new desktops will have to be bought every two or three years even at today's rates of development, so there's no real advantage over the tablet on that aspect.

I never said it had to be costly and state of the art. By modern I mean computers that aren't from 1990. Some schools don't currently have anything. They could buy cheap but working computers that could be used by every student in every school in the country for years to come

[longway]

The scam defenders are as cryptic and incoherent as details of the scam itself.

DP25 was on about building modern computer labs in every school. These cost a lot of money (ie: they don't grow on trees) and provide many opportunities for graft. Is that more simple for you?

You didnt notice I used the word scam in my reply did you? The irony of you being against installing compter labs as it provides opportunities for corruption is well.... so ironic.

[rixalex]

Dear, oh dear, Rix. I know it's Sunday. Who gets to install these modern computer labs? Who gets to maintain them?

You are saying that tablets are maintenance free? You are saying that every year, thousands of new tablets won't need to be bought?

I'm not saying either of those things. A tablet can be used anywhere in a school with one or a couple of wireless routers installed. A collection of desktops (which, individually, even for a basic model, cost multiples of the tablet) need a dedicated area (which DP25 envisions as being a costly, state-of-the-art room), which will restrict access and usage, just like we see in the provincial internet cafes. And,unless top of the range models are bought, new desktops will have to be bought every two or three years even at today's rates of development, so there's no real advantage over the tablet on that aspect.

The difference is, when a student gets given a tablet, how many students do think will stand to benefit from that tablet? More than likely, one. A computer lab stands to benefit an entire school. And it is something that can easily be kept tabs on. How many of these tablets are going to go missing every week? How many tablets are going to be dropped or damaged in some way every week?

As for desktops going out of date, tablets do that too.

[Thaddeus]

The scam defenders are as cryptic and incoherent as details of the scam itself.

DP25 was on about building modern computer labs in every school. These cost a lot of money (ie: they don't grow on trees) and provide many opportunities for graft. Is that more simple for you?

They may cost more money initially, but once set up, and with a bit of money spent on updating periodically, they stand to benefit a much greater number of students. So in the long run, less cost.

But it isn't a vote winner is it, and that is all this is about.

If anyone here can't see that I have a bridge that they may be interested in.

Edited February 5, 2012 by Thaddeus

[Siam Simon]

Anyway, whilst both options being discussed have their merits and downsides/potential downsides, and both have potential for plenty of graft, it's the tablet that's being used and it looks like there's no going back. So let's see how it pans out. If it's a disaster, you guys can have a field day and I'll admit that my optimism was misplaced. But what if it's even a partial success? Will you give it the credit it's earned, or will you just look for negatives?

[thaicbr]

Anyway, whilst both options being discussed have their merits and downsides/potential downsides, and both have potential for plenty of graft, it's the tablet that's being used and it looks like there's no going back. So let's see how it pans out. If it's a disaster, you guys can have a field day and I'll admit that my optimism was misplaced. But what if it's even a partial success? Will you give it the credit it's earned, or will you just look for negatives?

i THINK YOU ARE MISSING THE POINT SOMEWHAT.

It's not so much that tablets are being used, even though a net book or OLPC would be better. Read for how it should be done....http://one.laptop.org/

And if you note there are 500 OLPC'S here in Thailand. It would be interesting to see the condition of them now.

Your 3 year old could do what he could do because he had 1 on 1 training AND a keyboard. Have you ever used a tablet (especially a cheaper tablet).

As far as I'm aware they are not speccing the tab to be shock or water proof (both ideal for 6 year olds)

Have you actually seen any of the cheaper tabs..there are reasons they are cheaper. mainly materials used.

You stated about wifi, how many schools have wifi? I do not know but can guess not many. were are the press releases about installing wifi in each school..at what cost?

So it would be better for older kids to use these tablets maybe start at pratom 5 or 6. Then they will have a better understanding to what they are doing.

Personally i think the money could be spent in a better way and it is just a gimmick.

ALSO .. WHAT'S a partial success that there are still 100,00 working tabs at year end?????

Edited February 5, 2012 by thaicbr

[HAL9000]

Well, a tablet is certainly less expensive and gives each child full time computing experience as opposed to a computer lab class that is only an hour a day. With the iPad's advent (and the Kindle before that) there was a lot of talk about tablets ending the need for printed books. We are already seeing this in the media industry as numbers of print newspaper subscribers decline and the number of people reading news online rise. The same is going to happen with school textbooks. Thailand is looking to the future. Let's not bash them for wanting to get on the bandwagon. And holding up a Galaxy Tab and saying kids will get a tablet like this does not mean kids will get a Galaxy Tab. It is just a way to explain to people who are not up on technology what a tablet is. As the other poster said above, I just hope that they go with Android so they don't get stuck with a dead OS and no vendor support further down the road.

[thaicbr]

Well, a tablet is certainly less expensive and gives each child full time computing experience as opposed to a computer lab class that is only an hour a day. With the iPad's advent (and the Kindle before that) there was a lot of talk about tablets ending the need for printed books. We are already seeing this in the media industry as numbers of print newspaper subscribers decline and the number of people reading news online rise. The same is going to happen with school textbooks. Thailand is looking to the future. Let's not bash them for wanting to get on the bandwagon. And holding up a Galaxy Tab and saying kids will get a tablet like this does not mean kids will get a Galaxy Tab. It is just a way to explain to people who are not up on technology what a tablet is. As the other poster said above, I just hope that they go with Android so they don't get stuck with a dead OS and no vendor support further down the road.

It will still be a dead OS if the manufacturer does not keep it updated. Just look at Samsung and some of their Tabs still stuck on 2.2 froyo on a 8 month old tab (P1010 wifi).

At P1 level a tab can NOT replace a text book.. stop being silly. The kids write and draw in the text books, how is that done on a tab.

And if you believe that holding up that Samsung tab was what you say then your naive. If it was a properly done they should have shown a no name tab, just like what the kids will get.

[Siam Simon]

Well, a tablet is certainly less expensive and gives each child full time computing experience as opposed to a computer lab class that is only an hour a day. With the iPad's advent (and the Kindle before that) there was a lot of talk about tablets ending the need for printed books. We are already seeing this in the media industry as numbers of print newspaper subscribers decline and the number of people reading news online rise. The same is going to happen with school textbooks. Thailand is looking to the future. Let's not bash them for wanting to get on the bandwagon. And holding up a Galaxy Tab and saying kids will get a tablet like this does not mean kids will get a Galaxy Tab. It is just a way to explain to people who are not up on technology what a tablet is. As the other poster said above, I just hope that they go with Android so they don't get stuck with a dead OS and no vendor support further down the road.

It will still be a dead OS if the manufacturer does not keep it updated. Just look at Samsung and some of their Tabs still stuck on 2.2 froyo on a 8 month old tab (P1010 wifi).

At P1 level a tab can NOT replace a text book.. stop being silly. The kids write and draw in the text books, how is that done on a tab.

And if you believe that holding up that Samsung tab was what you say then your naive. If it was a properly done they should have shown a no name tab, just like what the kids will get.

At least he didn't shout at you, Hal .

[HAL9000]

Froyo to ICS is not that big of a jump. The primary update was taking advantage of the tablets larger screen instead of running phone software on a tab. Manufacturers are notoriously awful for not supporting their older hardware. The important thing is vendor support of the OS. Sure, you will see some Windows XP apps not running on Windows 7, but at least it's Windows and there is some app continuity from version to version. A proprietary OS created just for this program would be more of a dead end, though the sheer numbers of distribution, and the fact that it's a Thai-only product, would give it significant momentum in the Thai software industry.

@ Siam Simon - Thanks for your support. I just remind them what HAL said - "I wouldn't do that Dave". Don't forget what happened to Dave for fighting with his computer!

[thaicbr]

'Froyo to ICS is not that big of a jump'

Really!!! not that big a jump..Wow

I note that neither of you made any other input.

Also Android is based on linux.

Edited February 5, 2012 by thaicbr

[ozzieman05]

Thai wife says this whole incedent is one big joke

In her village they have people going house to house telling then these computer things are not good for children's eyes and they must not let their kids use them

Because they want to help they will buy all these useless things for 500 baht so they can have money to spend on more important things

This is my beloved Thailand

[MaiChai]

You will know where to get a cheap Andriod tablet soon: coming to a porn shop near you!

On a serious note it sounds like the project is woefully under budgeted. Thus likelyhood of success is slim unless more budget is found.

[Buchholz]

The scam defenders are as cryptic and incoherent as details of the scam itself.

Amen.

It's like Yingluck's gobbledygook reply to how to deal with prostitution in Thailand at the WEF.

.

[longway]

Anyway, whilst both options being discussed have their merits and downsides/potential downsides, and both have potential for plenty of graft, it's the tablet that's being used and it looks like there's no going back. So let's see how it pans out. If it's a disaster, you guys can have a field day and I'll admit that my optimism was misplaced. But what if it's even a partial success? Will you give it the credit it's earned, or will you just look for negatives?

Lets face it, these guys are making it up as they go along, IMO the main thing driving it forward is the potential for a quick buck at the expense of the tax payer,

Iif they wanted to implement properly; given their apparent total lack of forethought it would take a good couple of years to plan and roll out.

ideally this type of scheme. should be part of a strategic IT programme,

not just toss cheap tatty tablets into laps of 5 year olds and hope for the best.

Edited February 5, 2012 by longway

[Buchholz]

Anyway, whilst both options being discussed have their merits and downsides/potential downsides, and both have potential for plenty of graft, it's the tablet that's being used and it looks like there's no going back. So let's see how it pans out. If it's a disaster, you guys can have a field day and I'll admit that my optimism was misplaced. But what if it's even a partial success? Will you give it the credit it's earned, or will you just look for negatives?

i THINK YOU ARE MISSING THE POINT SOMEWHAT.

It's not so much that tablets are being used, even though a net book or OLPC would be better. Read for how it should be done....http://one.laptop.org/

And if you note there are 500 OLPC'S here in Thailand. It would be interesting to see the condition of them now.

Your 3 year old could do what he could do because he had 1 on 1 training AND a keyboard. Have you ever used a tablet (especially a cheaper tablet).

As far as I'm aware they are not speccing the tab to be shock or water proof (both ideal for 6 year olds)

Have you actually seen any of the cheaper tabs..there are reasons they are cheaper. mainly materials used.

You stated about wifi, how many schools have wifi? I do not know but can guess not many. were are the press releases about installing wifi in each school..at what cost?

It's only a paltry 30 Billion Baht.

"It" being the Smart Thailand project.

It's another Pheu Thai Party election promise.... free WiFi, nation-wide.

although, as we can see from the other Pheu Thai Party Promise.... the One Tablet PC Per Child project is already now

No Tablet PC For 90% of Children project

..

Edited February 5, 2012 by Buchholz

[Ijustwannateach]

^Yes, and it will be the 'some profits for some knockoff knockdown parts warehouse owner and some electronics assembly outfit' project, not to mention the 'some overhead since the tablets are probably more likely valued at 1800B each' project.

That's why it wins, never mind how bad an idea, never mind how badly implemented, over projects which might have educational effect.

[Buchholz]

^Yes, and it will be the 'some profits for some knockoff knockdown parts warehouse owner and some electronics assembly outfit' project, not to mention the 'some overhead since the tablets are probably more likely valued at 1800B each' project.

That's why it wins, never mind how bad an idea, never mind how badly implemented, over projects which might have educational effect.

It'll all end in tears....especially for the taxpayers.

.