Unesco Praises Thai Government's Tablet Policy

[Noistar]

Isn't the problem that the tools - ie the tablets - are a good idea, but the actual implementation of an education policy to use them effectively is missing?

[Buchholz]

On 2012-08-10 about 190,000 units in total were received. Then they get checked, repacked, distributed. No idea of current numbers, it seems to have been a wee bit quiet on this

So about 20 per cent have so far been delivered which would make the target of every Pathom 1 student getting a tablet before he becomes a Pathom 2 student doubtful, even if you 'Kittiratt' the prediction.

And is this project ongoing with another million ordered for next year's intake or do the kids hand them down?

Additionally, the Yingluck government also announced earlier that they would have the tablets in place at schools at the start of the school year.... which began four months ago.

Of course, with the same announcement, they also announced that not only Prathom 1 students would have them. They said all primary and secondary students would have a new tablet computer in May 2012. That would include some 11 million students.

In the context of that number, the percentage of tablets thus far delivered dwindles to less than 2 per cent.

p.s. something I note that UNESCO didn't mention that in their praise, but hey, no real surprise.

The OP is just normal meaningless sound bite. Clearly, they aren't looking at the flop in depth.

For the usual suspects the praise given by UNESCO doesn't and can't compute.How can an initiative by the current goverment make sense, let alone be praised by the UN's leading educational organisation.

"They aren't looking at the flop in depth" etc.Perhaps they had better write to the UN experts and explain their views.I'm sure Geneva would like to hear from a few foreign oldsters.

If they had any self awareness they would know how unhinged they sound.It's same incoherent ranting we heard when Thnaksin travelled to the US when the usual suspects had been assuring us he was limited to visiting third world hell holes.Laughable.

That doesn't mean the tablet programme has proceeded smoothly:it hasn't but the basic idea is a good one.Let's see how the government handles it over the next year or so.

From the usual suspect, we have the usual tired derogatory flaming. We have the same old tired lies regurgitated from jayboy regarding the bizarrely off-topic Thaksin's travels.

The UNESCO praise is comprehended. What did they praise? The concept or the implementation?

What did my post address? The concept or the implementation?

But at least even you reluctantly agree the implementation hasn't "proceeded smoothly"

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[Buchholz]

Isn't the problem that the tools - ie the tablets - are a good idea, but the actual implementation of an education policy to use them effectively is missing?

Someone's been paying attention rather than going on some misplaced flame fest like jayboy.

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[hellodolly]

There you have it....UNESCO has shown itself to be comprised of truly brilliant people who will no doubt will bestow some sort of award upon the One Tublet program.

Ya kind of a interesting article.

Here is a part of it.

"Not only is the knowledge on ICT vital to teachers and students but also to everyone. She expressed that tablet PCs should not be used just for education, but also for occupational purposes."

Brilliant use computers for occupational purposes.. Why didn't some one in Thailand think of that. Kind of shows what she knows about Thailand. Or maybe she thinks the country is all like field workers.

Or on the other hand maybe she thought the first graders could get a job with there pad.

[hellodolly]

Additionally, the UNESCO has set up a Mobile Education Learning project, using mobile phone as a tool to increase literacy rate. Ms Bokova said around February next year, a meeting will be held among member countries to discuss ways to efficiently use mobile phones as education tools.

I'm an old fart I know, but those mobile phone screens are a bit too much for these old eyes, and my fingers to big for tapping small fields. Now kids tend to have better eyes, but all that staring may have some side effects. Even using a tabletPC for more than one/two hours at a time may be unhealthy.

I agree with you. They may and probably will get away with it for years but I predict people getting eye glasses earlier in the future.

[hellodolly]

What's wrong with books?

Absolutely nothing at all but you'll struggle to browse the internet or run any software on them... you also have to buy a new book when you finish reading it, on a tablet you can simply download new content, which involves the destruction of less natural resources than printing another book...

Although the materials and energy used in building the tablet in the first place (mining , transportation, refinement of minerals, rare earth metals and plastics, energy used in constructing the tablet, and the constant recharging) are greater than those involved in printing a book . Less destruction of natural resources, eh, not so sure? Fairly sure books biodegrade as well, not so sure about tablets. I won't even start on how much energy the internet uses.

Aye and you'd have to also consider the fact that the number of books you could download & read via a tablet/ laptop are infinite while each book read needs to be transported physically from location to location... With a tablet you can always delete a book you've already read and download another; that would involve a trip to the shops/ delivery with a book, incurring yet more energy costs.

When factoring in all of the production processes involved in any manufacture the impact of the environment greatly depends on the ethics and procedure of the actual companies involved. Given that the internet, mains sockets and tablets already exist however, much like logging companies, specialist machinery and printing presses, this would seem pretty irrelevant to the point I actually made...

Energy use/ environmental impact greatly depends on the methods employed eg. battery charging can be done by solar panels or via mains socket, using power generated by a whole variety of different power stations each with varying impact on the environment. It will vary from user to user but again, seems rather mute given that they already exist and it's now a case of putting them to use...

All considered I would have to maintain that my original statement is correct; downloading new content involves the destruction of less natural resources than printing more books. Given that they are here does it make sense to cut down millions of trees to print books when the same books could be accessed from an existing platform (internet) and technology? Surely we will naturally see another shift away from conventional books, as we did with the advent of the internet, PCs and e-readers etc? That said a recent article I read suggest that Thailand is behind the current trends in this respect.

There's nothing wrong with books and I believe they should still play a part in our lives, there's no tablet that will be able to conjure the same magic as a beautifully written and illustrated child's book. That said we have to embrace the future and use our imaginations to make best use of the changes being increasingly aware of our direct impact on the environment. Daily newspapers for example seem to be an utter waste of resources to me and I would have no issues with their complete disappearance; all the articles can be referenced via the internet, social media and websites.

Well you have made some interesting points. But you left out that paper is recyclable and renewable. I possess many books and keep on buying them at used book stores. But truth be known I really want a Kindle x. But I do enjoy a book in my hand. Ah me decisions decisions I like my cake and I want to eat it to.

Seriously it would be interesting to see what the impact of books and pads or readers are on the environment. That would mean taking in all factors.

Also financially. What with the cost of the pads and the fact it would cost to buy the books you put on it compared to the renewable factor with paper and no renewable factor with electronics. Interesting in deed.

[hellodolly]

I agree that iPhones are probably a non-starter due to financial considerations.

Perhaps OTP10C program ScoPad tablet manufacturer, Shenzhen Scope, also makes mobile phones and can get the contract to supply... a ScoPhone? .... to pre-K's next year.

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Think of it this way...now all these tablets have been handed out, households will now be able to receive up to date information about flooding very quickly, another plus for the program...provided they have wifi at home of course...

They could also come with skype on them.

[JurgenG]

Isn't the problem that the tools - ie the tablets - are a good idea, but the actual implementation of an education policy to use them effectively is missing?

Exactly what I was thinking too. The government is doing the right thing but its efforts are hampered by an inefficient administration.

Unfortunately that's a worldwide problem and the reason why a huge number of people in the world call for leaner governments and more responsibilities for the private sector.

Furthermore, in Thailand the "Bangkok elite" is historically a civil service elite. That's why it has always been an uphill battle for this administration to bring change to Thailand.

[whybother]

Isn't the problem that the tools - ie the tablets - are a good idea, but the actual implementation of an education policy to use them effectively is missing?

Exactly what I was thinking too. The government is doing the right thing but its efforts are hampered by an inefficient administration.

Unfortunately that's a worldwide problem and the reason why a huge number of people in the world call for leaner governments and more responsibilities for the private sector.

Furthermore, in Thailand the "Bangkok elite" is historically a civil service elite. That's why it has always been an uphill battle for this administration to bring change to Thailand.

I don't really see how this is a "civil service" problem when most of the tablets haven't even been delivered yet.

Also, the fact that the government have given out tablets to schools that don't have the infrastructure to support them is a government planning problem, not a "civil service" problem.

It's also interesting that you think that all government employees are "the elite".

[phiphidon]

To date .... how many tablets have they distributed?

On 2012-08-10 about 190,000 units in total were received. Then they get checked, repacked, distributed. No idea of current numbers, it seems to have been a wee bit quiet on this

So about 20 per cent have so far been delivered which would make the target of every Pathom 1 student getting a tablet before he becomes a Pathom 2 student doubtful, even if you 'Kittiratt' the prediction.

And is this project ongoing with another million ordered for next year's intake or do the kids hand them down?

Additionally, the Yingluck government also announced earlier that they would have the tablets in place at schools at the start of the school year.... which began four months ago.

Of course, with the same announcement, they also announced that not only Prathom 1 students would have them. They said all primary and secondary students would have a new tablet computer in May 2012. That would include some 11 million students.

In the context of that number, the percentage of tablets thus far delivered dwindles to less than 2 per cent.

p.s. something I note that UNESCO didn't mention that in their praise, but hey, no real surprise.

The OP is just normal meaningless sound bite. Clearly, they aren't looking at the flop in depth.

.

.

Well the reason that UNESCO praises this initiative is because it is that - the first steps on the way to introduce schoolchildren to computers at an early age and as they said "technology is important in this rapidly changing world".

This is the first Thai government to at least get a computer technology project off the ground. That's what UNESCO are praising - they're not interested in the logistics, or as obsessed with them as you and your fanboys are.

Free school uniforms don't help you learn about the modern world.

[rubl]

begin removed ...

Free school uniforms don't help you learn about the modern world.

True, but if school uniforms are required and cost money and 99% of school children don't have a tabletPC yet, but still need to buy books, lots of parents are upset about the subsidy on both removed.

Last year when k. Abhisit was on the campaign trail in Bangkok a (red-shirt) lady complaint that the school uniform subsidy was not enough to cover the expenses. Go figure.

So, let's start a campaign against school uniforms ?

[kimamey]

Additionally, the UNESCO has set up a Mobile Education Learning project, using mobile phone as a tool to increase literacy rate. Ms Bokova said around February next year, a meeting will be held among member countries to discuss ways to efficiently use mobile phones as education tools.

I'm an old fart I know, but those mobile phone screens are a bit too much for these old eyes, and my fingers to big for tapping small fields. Now kids tend to have better eyes, but all that staring may have some side effects. Even using a tabletPC for more than one/two hours at a time may be unhealthy.

I'm 58 so a year older than you so I'll thank you to keep your "old fart" comments to yourself. I get enough of that from my daughter.

When using anything like this you should take regular breaks to rest your eyes and this applies to young people as well.

If your fingers are too big maybe you need a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 with its 5.5 inch screen. Oh and a ladies handbag to carry it in.

As for the idea of tablets for all schoolchildren, I'm not a teacher so I don't know how much help they are. I suspect they are a help if used properly which may be the real problem.

From the political angle it looks as if it will be a long time before it's "one tablet for each child" but that's just down to election promises without any planning. It always happens to some extent wherever you are. It just seems to be a lot worse here than I'm used to.

[phiphidon]

begin removed ...

Free school uniforms don't help you learn about the modern world.

True, but if school uniforms are required and cost money and 99% of school children don't have a tabletPC yet, but still need to buy books, lots of parents are upset about the subsidy on both removed.

Last year when k. Abhisit was on the campaign trail in Bangkok a (red-shirt) lady complaint that the school uniform subsidy was not enough to cover the expenses. Go figure.

So, let's start a campaign against school uniforms ?

If you feel that strongly about it go ahead.

Now, if the school uniform subsidy is not enough to cover the expenses of a school uniform surely that means that there is no such thing as free school uniforms - so does that mean that a lot of dem supporters on this forum have been telling porkies about one of abhisits greatest achievements?

[rubl]

Additionally, the UNESCO has set up a Mobile Education Learning project, using mobile phone as a tool to increase literacy rate. Ms Bokova said around February next year, a meeting will be held among member countries to discuss ways to efficiently use mobile phones as education tools.

I'm an old fart I know, but those mobile phone screens are a bit too much for these old eyes, and my fingers to big for tapping small fields. Now kids tend to have better eyes, but all that staring may have some side effects. Even using a tabletPC for more than one/two hours at a time may be unhealthy.

I'm 58 so a year older than you so I'll thank you to keep your "old fart" comments to yourself. I get enough of that from my daughter.

When using anything like this you should take regular breaks to rest your eyes and this applies to young people as well.

If your fingers are too big maybe you need a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 with its 5.5 inch screen. Oh and a ladies handbag to carry it in.

As for the idea of tablets for all schoolchildren, I'm not a teacher so I don't know how much help they are. I suspect they are a help if used properly which may be the real problem.

From the political angle it looks as if it will be a long time before it's "one tablet for each child" but that's just down to election promises without any planning. It always happens to some extent wherever you are. It just seems to be a lot worse here than I'm used to.

Ergonomics almost seems like a dirty word here in Thailand

http://ecomputerergonomics.com/

[rubl]

begin removed ...

Free school uniforms don't help you learn about the modern world.

True, but if school uniforms are required and cost money and 99% of school children don't have a tabletPC yet, but still need to buy books, lots of parents are upset about the subsidy on both removed.

Last year when k. Abhisit was on the campaign trail in Bangkok a (red-shirt) lady complaint that the school uniform subsidy was not enough to cover the expenses. Go figure.

So, let's start a campaign against school uniforms ?

If you feel that strongly about it go ahead.

Now, if the school uniform subsidy is not enough to cover the expenses of a school uniform surely that means that there is no such thing as free school uniforms - so does that mean that a lot of dem supporters on this forum have been telling porkies about one of abhisits greatest achievements?

Don't know about the porkies, but it seems school uniforms were never free, but there was a government subsidy. This subsidy has been cancelled as far as I know together with a cancellation of a subsidy for schoolbooks.

"The government's subsidy for uniforms is Bt300 for pre-school level, Bt360 for primary, Bt450 for lower secondary and Bt500 for upper secondary levels, while school supplies are subsidised at a rate of Bt200 for pre-school level, Bt390 for primary, Bt420 lower secondary and Bt460 for upper secondary."

http://www.thaivisa....ve-parents-say/

[EarthAlien]

Thats all we need,.. patronising Politically Correct comments from UNESCO that will only encourage more stupid Dep Ed policies.

Haven't they bothered to perform a fuller investigation to reveal what a monumental disaster the 1-tab-per-kid has been and is inevitably going to end up like once they realize what an untenable program it really is?

• Teachers that are complete PC/Internet mumpties!
  
• Students that need training on such tools and have pointed out that the tabs are meant for work and not playing games on.
  
• Parents that cannot participate in homework that the student may need help with because all tabs are kept at school.
  
• Schools that don't have the electrical resources to recharge batteries
  
• Schools that don't even have any electrical power at all
  

Someone should tap the UNESCO rep on the shoulder and tell him/her that it was purely a vote buying populist program that was not researched at all and that praise is the last thing they should be offering!

[chotthee]

What's wrong with books?

Can't surf with it.

[rubl]

What's wrong with books?

Can't surf with it.

[Buchholz]

On 2012-08-10 about 190,000 units in total were received. Then they get checked, repacked, distributed. No idea of current numbers, it seems to have been a wee bit quiet on this

So about 20 per cent have so far been delivered which would make the target of every Pathom 1 student getting a tablet before he becomes a Pathom 2 student doubtful, even if you 'Kittiratt' the prediction.

And is this project ongoing with another million ordered for next year's intake or do the kids hand them down?

Additionally, the Yingluck government also announced earlier that they would have the tablets in place at schools at the start of the school year.... which began four months ago.

Of course, with the same announcement, they also announced that not only Prathom 1 students would have them. They said all primary and secondary students would have a new tablet computer in May 2012. That would include some 11 million students.

In the context of that number, the percentage of tablets thus far delivered dwindles to less than 2 per cent.

p.s. something I note that UNESCO didn't mention that in their praise, but hey, no real surprise.

The OP is just normal meaningless sound bite. Clearly, they aren't looking at the flop in depth.

.

.

Well the reason that UNESCO praises this initiative is because it is that - the first steps on the way to introduce schoolchildren to computers at an early age and as they said "technology is important in this rapidly changing world".

This is the first Thai government to at least get a computer technology project off the ground. That's what UNESCO are praising - they're not interested in the logistics, or as obsessed with them as you and your fanboys are.

Free school uniforms don't help you learn about the modern world.

Absurd.

Not interested in logistics?

Without proper implementation, the concept is a meaningless waste.

.

[jayboy]

Without proper implementation, the concept is a meaningless waste.

In case it's helpful here is the UNESCO address to which you can write alerting them of your reservations about the government's tablet programme, and why they have got it all wrong.I am sure they will give your representations the attention they deserve.I apologise for misleading the forum earlier when I incorrectly suggested the HQ was in Geneva.

UNESCO

7, place de Fontenoy

75352 PARIS 07 SP

France

Phone national: O1 45 68 10 00

international: 33 1 45 68 10 00

Fax national: 01 45 67 16 90

international: 33 1 45 67 16 90

Telex: 204461 Paris; 270602 Paris

Always glad to be of assistance.

Edited September 12, 2012 by jayboy

[Ferangled]

Absurd.

Not interested in logistics?

Without proper implementation, the concept is a meaningless waste.

.

Who can argue with such a refreshingly balanced and unbiased assessment of the scheme?

It's quite clear through this member's posting history that there is no personal or political agenda that would cause him to be overly critical or impartial in his summary.... or is there?!

[Ferangled]

What's wrong with books?

Can't surf with it.

While we enter into the completely absurd a few serious survival points for the doomsday brigade among our ranks when considering the advantages of books & tablets:

A book can be used as fuel for a fire, which one could use to keep oneself warm or cook food/ sterilise water for drinking with.

A tablet could be used in a variety of ways to start a fire - the battery could be removed and the terminals used to create a spark and ignite tinder.... the screen could be used to focus the sunlight and reflect onto tinder to ignite it... similarly it could be used as a mirror to aid shaving; enabling the tablet user to remain smart in a survival situation while the book reader would become a bearded mess!

All very important considerations when balancing the pros and cons of the tablet vs books debate...

[Buchholz]

Without proper implementation, the concept is a meaningless waste.

In case it's helpful here is the UNESCO address

No need.

If they thought the implementation of the concept was worthy of praise, they would have included that in the fluffy praise of OP regarding the concept.

Their lack of making any mention beyond the concept would indicate they're at least aware of the abysmal follow-on.

.

[Buchholz]

Absurd.

Not interested in logistics?

Without proper implementation, the concept is a meaningless waste.

It's quite clear through this member's posting history that there is no personal or political agenda that would cause him to be overly critical or impartial in his summary.... or is there?!

Then let's hear your supposed unbiased opinion of the implementation that is going well.

.

[Buchholz]

Thats all we need,.. patronising Politically Correct comments from UNESCO that will only encourage more stupid Dep Ed policies.

Haven't they bothered to perform a fuller investigation to reveal what a monumental disaster the 1-tab-per-kid has been and is inevitably going to end up like once they realize what an untenable program it really is?

• Teachers that are complete PC/Internet mumpties!
  
• Students that need training on such tools and have pointed out that the tabs are meant for work and not playing games on.
  
• Parents that cannot participate in homework that the student may need help with because all tabs are kept at school.
  
• Schools that don't have the electrical resources to recharge batteries
  
• Schools that don't even have any electrical power at all
  

Someone should tap the UNESCO rep on the shoulder and tell him/her that it was purely a vote buying populist program that was not researched at all and that praise is the last thing they should be offering!

Excellent summary.

.

[Ferangled]

Thats all we need,.. patronising Politically Correct comments from UNESCO that will only encourage more stupid Dep Ed policies.

Haven't they bothered to perform a fuller investigation to reveal what a monumental disaster the 1-tab-per-kid has been and is inevitably going to end up like once they realize what an untenable program it really is?

• Teachers that are complete PC/Internet mumpties!
  
• Students that need training on such tools and have pointed out that the tabs are meant for work and not playing games on.
  
• Parents that cannot participate in homework that the student may need help with because all tabs are kept at school.
  
• Schools that don't have the electrical resources to recharge batteries
  
• Schools that don't even have any electrical power at all
  

Someone should tap the UNESCO rep on the shoulder and tell him/her that it was purely a vote buying populist program that was not researched at all and that praise is the last thing they should be offering!

Excellent summary.

.

Yes quite, the in depth analysis and detailed report is truly exceptional!

I particularly like the points that all teachers are pc/ internet mumpties (some sort of maternal numpty perhaps?) and that students need training (err really?) but apparently have pointed out that the tablets are for work and not games?! I won't pretend I followed the meaning of that one, just like the poster won't pretend that these points aren't entirely fabricated speculative BS with no grounding in reality!

Parents unable to participate in homework because the students can't bring the tablets home?! What? I thought your position was that these tablets were useless, now their unable to perform homework without them?! What a turn around! Can't recall ever being allowed to take a desktop home from school either but it didn't stop me doing homework or introducing me to the dawn of the PC age, a stepping stone to a highly successful career in technology...

As far as electricity in schools, while I am sure there are some that don't, as there are in most developing countries, I am yet to see one personally. Of course if they haven't got electricity or the ability to purchase mains extension leads/ increase the number of sockets, that's entirely a failing of this tablet scheme and not previous administration's total side lining of the poverty stricken rural areas!!!

I needed an extra few sockets in my office, a trip to Keehin and an hour later I had 10 working sockets in place of two... hardly rocket science and with the tiny load these tablets draw charging it's hardly a major issue.

Yes Buchholz I'd have to agree an excellent summary on par with your own in depth analysis of the subject, burn the witch that suggested this scheme! I expect the flooding will be a side effect of tablet manufacture next!

Edited September 12, 2012 by Ferangled

[Buchholz]

Parents unable to participate in homework because the students can't bring the tablets home?! What? I thought your position was that these tablets were useless

Something that was never said.

As far as electricity in schools, while I am sure there are some that don't, as there are in most developing countries, I am yet to see one personally.

Perhaps get out more and have a look. Examples were shown in a previous thread.

Of course if they haven't got electricity or the ability to purchase mains extension leads/ increase the number of sockets, that's entirely a failing of this tablet scheme

No, but it shows there are more fundamental needs at these schools than tablets.

I needed an extra few sockets in my office, a trip to Keehin and an hour later I had 10 working sockets in place of two... hardly rocket science and with the tiny load these tablets draw charging it's hardly a major issue.

If so simple, why not put that horse before the cart?

Your office is hardly comparable to a school that has either no electricity or has such inadequate electrical wiring that, for safety concerns, it involves more than purchasing sockets.

.

Edited September 12, 2012 by Buchholz

[Buchholz]

Yes Buchholz I'd have to agree an excellent summary on par with your own in depth analysis of the subject, burn the witch that suggested this scheme! I expect the flooding will be a side effect of tablet manufacture next!

Your detachment from the reality of rural poor schools and over-simplifications of what improvements are needed coupled with your over-personalization in replying to other members says a lot.

[rubl]

begin removed ...

I needed an extra few sockets in my office, a trip to Keehin and an hour later I had 10 working sockets in place of two... hardly rocket science and with the tiny load these tablets draw charging it's hardly a major issue.

Yes Buchholz I'd have to agree an excellent summary on par with your own in depth analysis of the subject, burn the witch that suggested this scheme! I expect the flooding will be a side effect of tablet manufacture next!

When's the 'office burning' party?

http://en.wikipedia..../Extension_cord

[Ferangled]

begin removed ...

I needed an extra few sockets in my office, a trip to Keehin and an hour later I had 10 working sockets in place of two... hardly rocket science and with the tiny load these tablets draw charging it's hardly a major issue.

Yes Buchholz I'd have to agree an excellent summary on par with your own in depth analysis of the subject, burn the witch that suggested this scheme! I expect the flooding will be a side effect of tablet manufacture next!

When's the 'office burning' party?

http://en.wikipedia..../Extension_cord

That would be an extension lead and not an electrical socket... like I say it's really not rocket science but I guess for the technologically challenged among us, it's not so easy to understand.

Correctly rated breaker wired with appropriately sized cable to sockets. In event of overload the breaker will trip (by it's very nature it is designed to protect the cable and prevent fire). I personally like to use RCDs for added protection but as most of your homes and offices have no earth wire and if they do they won't be connected to a suitable earth anyway, I wouldn't concern yourself too much... unless that is a picture of an extension lead in your home which would signify a distinctly dangerous electrical installation.

Personally I like to ensure the safety of my colleagues and family by learning about such things and checking them myself.