The Tablet, The Remedy for Education

Some time ago I wrote an article in a local newspaper called, "The Tablet, an Expensive Pill to Swallow."  That article stimulated much debate among stakeholders in education as to the affordability and practicality of the mass introduction of such a device in schools.  In my article, I mentioned some shortcomings and gave suggestions regarding the use of that device in schools.  However, our Minister of Technology, in various interviews made assurances that improvement of various infrastructure was in the pipeline to facilitate island wide internet coverage, thus justifying the attempt in implementing such an innovation.

Fast forward one year later, the various communication networks have made fair efforts in upgrading the data services and communication networks in the Caribbean.  There is much more affordable data services on cellular networks.   More gadgets have been imported for the ordinary individuals to have a 'mobile computer' in their hands thus exposing the learner to information normally  that would be paid for in a public library.  More students now seem to have an innate gift to utilize smart devices using them for their own benefit thus they have a sense of readiness for the tablets.  Due to the initial novelty of the first set of tablets, students were distracted and great misuse of the device emerged in the social media.  Now that most persons are sensitized, the general thinking is that more energy can be placed in making good use of the tablets in schools.

What has now happened is that several schools have been selected to pilot the tablet innovation.  The selection of these schools seems to be based on learning needs and not based on good academic performance.  The traditional institutions who have tablets in their schools had taken the initiative to invest in the purchase of the same.  The vision is to have specific software and applications installed in order to assist students in reinforcing concepts and improve the acquisition of skills and knowledge to make them become more educationally eligible useful beyond high school.

What is hoped, is that the government or the relevant ministries will purchase publication rights or gain permission from publishing houses to provide e-book versions of the many heavy textbooks the back burdened students carry in their over packed school bags.  Not only will this reduce the stress  of carrying heavy texts to school, but also allow students to have easier access to authentic and credible information on pre-selected websites to use in their reading and research. Teachers may find that their preparation for contact time can be reduced due to the availability of resources at the students' fingertips!

Having tablets in school can be one of the remedies in education.   Those devices can store data and be the cradle for e-books for students.  Yes, the cost is a factor, but to be honest, anything that has a value must have a cost.  There is no such thing as free education, but an investment of the same will have a financial positive multiplier effect on the technology exposed population.  Maybe the tablet indeed can be a good remedy after all!