Project to study impact of tablets on students

“Having been questioned about the impact on students when they use tablets, the Education Ministry has assigned SWU to study the issue. However, many countries have found that Prathom 1 students can use tablets for education effectively, whereas older people can use them less effectively,” Education Minister Woravat Auapinyakul said yesterday after presiding over a ceremony to officially launch the project at SWU.
Secretary-general Chinnapat Bhumirat at the Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) said the five schools chosen for the pilot project were Srinakarinwirot University Prasarnmit Demonstra-tion School (Elementary) and Rachawinit School in Bangkok; Anuban Lampang School in Lampang; Sanambin School in Khon Kaen; and Anuban Pang-nga School in Phang-nga. A class with 40-50 students will be given tablets.
Chinnapat added that Lenovo Thailand had donated 600 tablets for the pilot project. Many companies had offered to donate the tablets, but the ministry chose only one firm as it required the same specifications.
Woravat said Obec would be responsible for the contents of the tablets and expected it to be completed in the next academic year.
In response to a survey that revealed 94 per cent of respondents at famous schools, including Triam Udom Suksa School, disagreed with the policy to allow Prathom 1 students to use tablets, Woravat said he would not rush to draw any conclusions or change anything.
“If students are given hi-tech tools suitable for their ages, they will be able to become leaders of the region or even of the world,” he added.
SWU president Asst Prof Chalermchai Boonyaleepan said the university would conclude the study on the impact on students at the pilot schools, create guidelines for a course that will train relevant officers, and create a model and guidelines for integrating the tablets with teaching and learning.