Older Kids Would Make Better Use Of Tablet PCs Than Prathom 1: Thai Researchers

[webfact]

You can be too young to learn

Wannapa Khaopa,

Jitarpa Suwanatat

The Nation

Older kids would make better use of tablets than Prathom 1, say researchers

BANGKOK: -- The government should distribute tablet PCs to Prathom 1 and Prathom 4 (Grades 1 and 4) students, as well as to Matthayom 1 and 4 (Grades 7 and 10), a team of researchers said yesterday.

Distributing the gadgets to students of different ages and separate levels would help the government judge whether the scheme is actually worthwhile, the team, comprised of researchers from Srinakharinwirot University (SWU), said.

The researchers studied the impact tablet use might have on students in the previous semester.

The government has been planning to distribute tablet PCs to Prathom 1 students initially, before moving on to Matthayom 1 students.

However, in a study conducted last semester, the team concluded that Prathom 4 students were more prepared to use the tablets than Prathom 1 students. It also found that older students picked up lessons faster and were more creative while using the devices.

"The findings suggest that spending the taxpayers' money on tablets for Prathom 4 students is better than giving them to younger Prathom 1 pupils," Asst Prof Chalermchai Boonyaleepun, president of SWU, told a press conference yesterday.

However, he said, since the government has already announced that it will distribute the devices to Prathom 1 students, it could divide the shipment between both levels.

"It is not necessary to distribute the entire shipment of tablets [ordered from a Chinese firm] to just Prathom 1 students. They could instead give 400,000 to Prathom 1 students and another 400,000 to those in Prathom 4," he said.

Chalermchai also cited recommendations from school directors and teachers, who proposed a "one tablet, one projector or one smart board" teaching technique, in which teachers can use a tablet plugged into a projector or a smart board to conduct a lesson.

This way, they said, it would be easier for them to control the class.

"Then, when it is time for students to use a tablet on their own, their schools can equip a classroom with enough of these devices and students in each class can take turns in using them. Using tablets in two classes per day is more than enough.

"We would like to see if students grasp things better if they have a tablet in front of them as the teacher leads the lesson using a projector or smart board, or if they have a tablet but the teacher does not have a projector or smart board," he added.

Besides school directors and teachers, parents are also urging the authorities to not allow students to take the tablets home over concerns about them being lost or damaged.

The team discovered that many parents are worried that allowing youngsters to take their tablet home might create a digital divide, as many poor families cannot afford broadband Internet. They said the government could solve this problem by providing WiFi connections for poor communities.

The parents also asked to be taught to use the tablets so they could keep up with their children.

The study also found that learning objects created by the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) were not interesting enough for young people and called on relevant agencies to develop better content to hold students' attention. The team also suggested that the government provide funding for at least one technical assistant per school.

"Technical assistants are very important, especially while the policy is being implemented," Chalermchai said.

Plan needed

He also called on the government to create a plan that will clarify the terms for school administrators, teachers, parents and students.

For instance, explaining how many hours students can use these tablets for and what subjects they can study on the devices.

Chalermchai also urged Obec to provide a budget to SWU so it can continue studying these and other issues like the impact tabletusage can have on a student's eyesight, sleeping habits, addiction to games, eating behaviour and body weight. He said these issues could not be addressed this time due to time limits.

-- The Nation 2012-05-12

[PoodMaiNgai]

Prathom 1 seems to me to be a very strange group to begin the experiment (I think that is what it is!) with. I would have thought some older students first would have made more sense. But who cares about sense!

[whybother]

It's a bit late to be talking about this now, isn't it.

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

[Lite Beer]

ICT & Education Ministers Defend School Tablet PCs Project

BANGKOK, 12 May 2012 (NNT) – The Education and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Ministers used the weekly government talk show on Saturday to emphasize the need for tablet PC usage among elementary school students amidst concerns of misuse from parents.

Education Minister Suchart Tadathamrongvech explained that the tablet computers had actually been applied to teaching in several developed countries. He stressed that introduction of tablet PCs would lead to equal access to learning and information throughout the country.

The Minister also believes that the use of this new study material would spark eagerness for learning among children. However, he insisted that conventional forms of teaching including speaking, reading and writing skill were still necessary to students and would not be neglected. These skills will be included in tablet PCs in which schools and educators are able to adjust or develop the contents to suit their students.

Meanwhile, ICT Minister Anudith Nakornthap confirmed all the teaching contents in the tablet computers had been carefully selected for students. He added that there was no need for parents to worry about misuse because the tablet computers contained Global Positioning System (GPS) to trace users’ contents and their whereabouts. He is also positive that the use of government-issued tablet PCs would help lead to creation of constructive online social network in the future.

-- NNT 2012-05-12

[whybother]

speaking, reading and writing skill were still necessary to students and would not be neglected.

Something's going to change then.

[473geo]

You can be too young to learn

Wannapa Khaopa,

Jitarpa Suwanatat

The Nation

<deleted>.....says it all really....the writers are cemented in their conditioning

[Slip]

Well the photo says it all really. These students have been taught to write their name. How much does a piece of paper cost again? I suggest that the Thai government immediately enters into lengthy (and ultimately doomed) negotiations with a Chinese supplier to provide each Thai student with..... a piece of paper. Should come in at under 2 thousand per piece and as long as the warranty details can be sorted out this time, it seems like a winner.

Edit: Before anyone shouts, I realise that they are not their names- the point remains.

Edited May 12, 2012 by Slip

[kirk0233]

I agree that Prathom 1 is an odd grade to start the tablet PC program. I suspect the whole project is doomed to failure, but perhaps it will force the government to supply electricity to 2,000 schools in order to charge the batteries and so will not completely be a wasted effort.

[sirchai]

'Tablet PCs for students plan 'needs modifying'

The study found that tablet use had no impact on illness, free-time activities, junk food consumption, muscle development, concentration levels and sleeping hours for both grades of students.

It did find that students suffered from eye strain, irritation and teary eyes.

"Still, we cannot yet conclude that those symptoms are results of tablet computer use," Mr Chalermchai said.

Prathom 4 students were learning via tablets faster and better than the younger grade, the study found.

"So, it is more worthwhile to give the tablets to Prathom 4 students, not Prathom 1," said Mr Chalermchai.

"They are more happy, enthusiastic and interested in learning. They also have an opportunity to learn to take care of valuable things like tablet computers," Mr Chalermchai said.

In some cases, students taught teachers how to use certain applications, which might have the negative psychological impact of students losing respect for their teachers, Mr Chalermchai said.

In some cases, students taught teachers how to use certain applications, which might have the negative psychological impact of students losing respect for their teachers, Mr Chalermchai said.

Most teachers still need technical assistance in order to use the tablets when teaching.

Could it be that Prathom 4 students are better in using tablets, because most of them can read? Just another brick in the wall...

Pleas see link BP 12/5/2012

.http://www.bangkokpo...needs-modifying.

Edited May 12, 2012 by sirchai

[SOTIRIOS]

......remember the 'food and water distribution' during the flood...not to mention the 'cash coupons for purchase of goods'......

......who is to say where these tablets will end up anyway.........

....what are the chances that the tablets will finally be distributed 'selectively'........as was said was done with so many other 'handouts'....

(What is it that they say about 'absolute power'......???)

[sirchai]

Congratulations red shirts.......

Edited May 12, 2012 by sirchai