Computer tablets helping language skills, says Obec
With computer tablets as their learning tools, Pathom 1 students have acquired language skills faster, according to a research by the Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec).
“Their listening, speaking and reading skills have developed at a faster pace,” Obec secretary-general Chinnapat Bhumirat said yesterday.
The research covered 7,078 students, 533 teachers, and 503 executives at 503 schools.
“It has also shown that tablets are helping to prepare students for the Asean Economic Community [AEC],” Chinnapat said. The AEC will materialise in 2015 and students will need language skills, information-searching skills, and skills to apply information they have garnered.
“We have asked the Pathom 1 students to search out information on the nature of animals within half an hour. From this research, we found that about 65 per cent of students were able to conduct an information search,” Chinnapat disclosed.
He said findings from the research into tablet use would be collated to improve the integration of tablets in classrooms.
The One Tablet per Child Project is a brainchild of the current government. Under the project, Pathom 1 students have received free tablets for their studies. This year, the project will be expanded to cover more students.
Chinnapat said the research had found some problems in the use of tablets, concerning mostly the devices’ battery and electrical systems.
“We will use this information to improve the tablets and their use as learning tools,” he said.
