TOM NEWBY SCHOOL

TOM NEWBY SCHOOLGrade 5, 6 and 7 Android Tablet projectPresentation2015 for 20161

1RationaleComputer literacy Preparation for technological worldAccess to current information via internetWeight of textbooks (Learners who follow time-tabled classes are afraid to leave books at home so they pack everything)Textbooks quickly become outdatedFrequent changes to curriculum contentGeographical names and places not constantCommunication and support after hoursAdditional assistance through support programmesExtension work for gifted learners

2Primary Purpose for 2016To reduce the number of textbooks that learners have to carry to school on a daily basis.To ensure that learners have access to information on the internet.To support learners after hours (reasonably) when they need assistance.To provide both learners in need of support as well as gifted learners with individualised additional activities to support learning.To provide an alternative means to complete and submit homework and assignments.To provide alternative assessment tools some of which will improve feedback time on work completed/assessed.To ascertain the educational value of tablet usage.

3Technology roll out - time line2014 Grd 7 Interactive tablet per learner COMPLETED

2015 Grade 6 and 7 Interactive tablet per learner COMPLETED Grade 1 5 Five tablets per classroom Returned to GDE

2016 Grade 6 and 7 Interactive tablet per learner COMPLETED Grade 5 tablet per learner Current roll outGrade 1 4 Ten tablets per classroom If funding allows4Preferred HardwareMecer 10.1 PAD 3G, Model 101P51C5

accessories INCLUDEDCarry CaseChargerMicro USB to USB CableMicro USB to USB AdapterMini earphones

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Items NOT INCLUDEDPlastic protective container with soft absorption sponge.

Custom made shoulder carry bag.

Screen Protector

Access to security lockers at school.7GENERIC EQUIVALENT8Minimum Specs:Android 4.4 Kitkat10.1 Capacitive Touchscreen1.3 GHz Quad Core CPU1GB DDR3 RAM16GB StorageBuilt in WIFI and 3GBuilt in 2.0 Megapixel Front Camera & 5.0 Megapixel Rear Camera6000mAh BatteryMicroUSB Port 2.0

Response to survey306 responses returned out of a possible 375.

288:Yes 11:Not sure 4: No (because of costs) 3: No (because of negative impact of learning and eyesight)

Insightful questions and concerns Thank you.9Questions and ConcernsWhat word processing programme will be used?Kingsoft Office: Free software. Word, excel and PowerPoint. Will learners be trained?How will we know whose tablet it is?The current TNS computer classes have trained learners in these three programmes, but additional assistance will be given as required. Where other skills are needed learners will be trained.The serial number will be allocated and recorded. The learners name will be affixed to the tablet with a label (QR Code Label).A password will be required to activate the tablet.10Questions and ConcernsDo the tablets get sent home every day?Yes.Do we write using the tablet?Grade 6 and 7: In some cases. However, 70% of the work is still going to be completed in exercise books writing is not yet an obsolete skill and many learners still have to perfect the skill of writing and setting work out to say nothing about spelling (spell check should only be used for incidental errors)Grade 5: No. The tablets will have read-only functionality. All written work will be done in books.Is there a warranty?This depends on the supplier you have used. TNS is not the supplier.11Questions and ConcernsHow long does it take to repair or replace?This depends on the supplier and the nature of the fault. However, hard copies of notes can be issued so that the learning process is not interrupted. (Refer IT Policy)What happens to our data if the tablet is lost or broken?We recommend that data is stored in the cloud so that it is easy to retrieve in the event of damage to the hardware. However, all TNS documents can be downloaded from the TNS website.Do we still have to carry exercise books to school?Yes. 12Questions and ConcernsDo we keep the tablet?Yes. Once the tablet has been purchased, it belongs to you (or more specifically to the parent who has paid).What if there is a problem with the internet?The e-Books /core notes are off-line and should therefore not be affected by internet down time. Other down time situations will need to be addressed as they arise.What will replace the textbooks?The educators will be designing e-textbooks that cater specifically to the needs of learners at TNS. These TNS e-textbooks will be loaded onto tablets in Portable Document Format (PDF) format. There is, in 2016, no charge for most of these books. Encryption codes can be activated on e-textbooks. 13Questions and ConcernsWill all textbooks be replaced by the tablet?No. All Afrikaans and Grade 5 Maths, will still make use of a textbook. Some workbooks might also be used.Will there be workshops for parents?No provision has been made for this type of training. However, most of the children probably know more than the teachers do anyway. They will probably jump at the chance to show you how clever they are.Will the school get WIFI?WIFI has already been installed. However, should it be out of operation, then the 3G will have to be used.14Questions and ConcernsWhat costs are there for anti virus software?None. There seems to be very little need for this software at the moment. However, anti virus software is loaded on the tablet.Risk of theft how can it be minimised, at school?Suitcases/tablets MUST be left in a locked classroom at break and in a secure area during Phys Ed or all other times when learners are not able to personally look after the tablets.Lockers will be allocated for after school activity storage.Learners must develop a strong sense of responsibility and awareness with regard to security and care of this hardware.

15Questions and ConcernsDoes the tablet have an internal tracking system?Most tablets have this facility. This can be activated when the tablets are configured.Will learners be allowed to play games during school hours?This depends on the game/app in question as well as what the learners should be doing at the time they are playing the game.Various games/apps will be recommended particularly if they have some educational value or if they will enhance computer dexterity/knowledge/skills levels.Various educational games/apps will be compulsory.

16Questions and ConcernsBreakage can it be prevented?Screen damage has been the most common form of breakage. In 2016, a hard plastic container and sponge inserts will be compulsory along with a custom made shoulder carry bag. However, breakage can only be entirely prevented if students exercise care when working with and transporting the tablet. There have also been numerous instances of charger ports being damaged. Mecer is addressing this concern and trying make a port that is less fragile. Again, reducing the risk of damage rests entirely in the hands of the tablet user.Will the use of tablets increase the likelihood of dishonesty in assessments?Learners who want to cheat will find a way to do so irrespective of whether tablets are being used or not. 17Questions and ConcernsWill access to the internet be restricted?Yes, a program such as Net or Cyber Nanny will be installed on the tablet and, at school, various sites will be restricted via the WIFI. However, this might not stop the determined internet surfer. Because of this, the school will have the right to conduct spot checks and will encourage parents to do the same. There should be no expectation of privacy with regard to information on the tablet or web sites that have been surfed or information downloaded.Social media such as Facebook are prohibited.What games or books can be downloaded?Generally speaking, the school will inform the learners about apps, books, information, safe websites and suitable games. Where learners would like to download other material, they will need to apply to the IT manager for permission.Google will assist in this regard so that access to apps will be restricted.

18Questions and ConcernsHow are teachers going to mark?Some work will still be written in books so marking will take place as normal.Where a soft copy is submitted, some of the programs allow for electronic marking.Some programs are self marking and feedback to the learner is almost instantaneous.Where the programme does not allow for electronic marking, the educator will print a hard copy and mark it as if it were written in an exercise book.What is the cost of downloading apps?The majority of apps are free. However, should an educator require a paid app, then the cost will be for the school.

19Questions and ConcernsNo, but other tablets must have similar specs and be android compatible. The uniformity of hardware AND operating systems makes it easier for the IT manager to install information and makes it easier for the educators to be trained to assist learners. The alternative recommended makes are Lenovo and Samsung.Do we have to use a Mecer?What about parents who cannot afford this technology?Exemption documents and a request for assistance will need to be submitted to the Governing Body and applications will be considered. However, funding for this is limited. Some suppliers offer a lay-bye system if parents would like to use this option and companies like Vodacom offer a contract with a reasonable monthly rate very much like a cell phone contract.2021Questions and ConcernsWhy has android technology been selected instead of apple?The Android operating system (OS) can be used on a variety of tablets while Apple OS is only compatible with Apple products.Apple products are, comparatively, far more expensive than Android products.Apple OS must accept defaults while Android defaults can be set.Apple educational software is primarily American based while Android educational software is worldwide based.Is there a school IT Policy?Yes. A copy of the full policy can be downloaded from the internet. Learners will be required to sign an agreement to follow the rules and guidelines in the policy.22How will reading skills will be effected?Questions and ConcernsThere is no evidence to support the opinions that reading skills will improve or deteriorate with the use of tablets in the classroom.Not all educational material will be presented in e-format. Readers and some subjects will still appear in hard copy.Notes stored on tablets should not be used to study from. Learners must practise summarising and develop good transcription skills so that their studying is undertaken from notes they have compiled personally from the e-books.Formal tests and exams will still take the form of hard copies.Will the tablet become a games gadget instead of a learning tool?The temptation to play games instead of do schoolwork does exist. This is easily dealt with by deleting game apps particularly around test and exam time. The onus is on parents to check the tablets regularly and delete unwanted apps.23Questions and ConcernsWill my childs marks improve or come down?There is no evidence to support improvement or deterioration of marks. Children who are not committed to learning from textbooks are not likely to be any more committed to learning from e-books. However, the novelty and coolness of the tablet may impact on a childs attitude towards learning and reading.Parents may have to be more vigilant in terms of the distraction value of tablets applications but no more so than they would have to be with regard to i-phones or television.Can my childs Grade 5 tablet be used in Grade 6 and 7?Yes. The specs and requirements are not likely to change significantly over a 3 year period.No, TNS will not be assisting parents in this regard. Parents can purchase the required tablets from any reputable retail outlet.Can we purchase the tablet through the school?24Can my child use a 7 inch tablet?Questions and ConcernsAlthough this is more affordable, the smaller screen size makes it more difficult to view the e-notes and it presents problems when typing has to be performed on the pop up keyboard. The 10 inch screen is preferable and therefore compulsory.Will the tablet affect my childs health?Although some research has been undertaken with regard to the long term use of tablets on eyesight and other matters relating to the physiological impact of tablets none of the research is definitive. The introduction of tablets into education is still in its infancy and no conclusive findings can be made given this short term application. There is no substantive evidence to suggest that eyesight is damaged/harmed through regulated use of tablets. However, studies at Harvard suggest that intensive use of tablets, for games or reading, within one hour of bed-time, do impact marginally on the time taken to fall asleep. This group of researchers suggests that learners refrain from using tablets at least 2 hours before bed time.3G connectivityThe Mecer has a facility for 3G connectivity.All learners in Grade 6 and 7 must have a 3G sim card so that the teaching and learning process is not interrupted when the school WiFi is not operational. Various options for contracts or pay as you go facilities are available. Vodacom, for example has a 24 month sim card option for 500MB Data per month at a cost of R39.00 per month.3G, or equivalent connectivity while off school premises is essential as learners may have to submit work via email (learners will be allocated a g-mail address) or undertake research after school hours.

25Recharging of tabletThe primary responsibility for ensuring that tablets are fully charged on a daily basis, rests with the learners.Each classroom will be equipped with a docking station in the event that a tablet needs recharging during school hours.

26Cost of TabletCurrent Retail General PricingSamsung Galaxy R4500.00 Lenovo R3500.0027Mecer R2600.00Cost of items supplied by TNS(Compulsory)

28Plastic protective container with sponge R50.00Custom-made shoulder bag R100.00Security locker - No charge (Refundable R100.00 key deposit)WiFi maintenance/upgrade R100.00 per annum (Grd 6/7 only)

Total: R250.00/R150.00

ETF or Credit card payment of R200.00/R100.00 must be made to Tom Newby School by 1 December, 2015

If we teach our children today, as we taught them yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow.

29Thank You for supporting this initiative.Innovation Education at Tom Newby School is alive and well.

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