Grade 5, 6 and 7 Android Tablet project
Presentation
2015 for 2016
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Rationale
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Computer literacy
Preparation for technological world
Access to current information via internet
Weight of textbooks (Learners who follow time-tabled
classes are afraid to leave books at home – so they pack
everything)
Textbooks quickly become outdated
Frequent changes to curriculum content
Geographical names and places not constant
Communication and support after hours
Additional assistance through support programmes
Extension work for gifted learners
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Primary Purpose for 2016
 To 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
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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.
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Technology roll out - time line
 2014 –
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 out
Grade 1 – 4 Ten tablets per classroom If funding allows
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Preferred Hardware
Mecer 10.1” PAD 3G, Model 101P51C
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accessories INCLUDED
 Carry Case
 Charger
 Micro USB to USB Cable
 Micro USB to USB Adapter
 Mini earphones
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Items NOT INCLUDED
 Plastic protective container
with soft absorption sponge.
 Custom made shoulder carry bag.
 Screen Protector
 Access to security lockers at school.
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GENERIC EQUIVALENT
Minimum Specs:
 Android 4.4 Kitkat
 10.1” Capacitive Touchscreen
 1.3 GHz Quad Core CPU
 1GB DDR3 RAM
 16GB Storage
 Built in WIFI and 3G
 Built in 2.0 Megapixel Front Camera &
5.0 Megapixel Rear Camera
 6000mAh Battery
 MicroUSB Port 2.0
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Response to survey
306 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.
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Questions and Concerns
‽ What word processing programme will be used?
 Kingsoft Office: Free software. Word, excel and PowerPoint.
‽ Will learners be trained?
 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.
‽ How will we know whose ‘tablet’ it is?
 The serial number will be allocated and recorded. The
learner’s name will be affixed to the tablet with a label (QR
Code Label).
 A password will be required to activate the tablet.
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Questions and Concerns
‽ Do 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.
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Questions and Concerns
‽ How 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.
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Questions and Concerns
‽ Do 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 etextbooks 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 etextbooks.
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Questions and Concerns
‽ Will 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.
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Questions and Concerns
‽ What 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.
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Questions and Concerns
‽ Does 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.
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Questions and Concerns
‽ Breakage – 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.
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Questions and Concerns
‽ Will 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.
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Questions and Concerns
‽ How 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.
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Questions and Concerns
‽ Do we have to use a Mecer?
 No, 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.
‽ 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.
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Questions and Concerns
‽ Why 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.
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Questions and Concerns
‽ How will reading skills will be effected?
 There 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 ebooks.
 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.
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Questions and Concerns
‽ Will my child’s 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 child’s 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 child’s 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.
‽ Can we purchase the tablet through the school?
 No, TNS will not be assisting parents in this regard. Parents can purchase
the required tablets from any reputable retail outlet.
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Questions and Concerns
‽ Can my child use a 7 inch tablet?
 Although 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 child’s 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 it’s 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.
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3G connectivity
 The 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.
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Recharging of tablet
 The 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.
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Samsung Galaxy – R4500.00
Lenovo – R3500.00
Mecer – R2600.00
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 Plastic protective container with sponge – R50.00
 Custom-made shoulder bag – R100.00
 Security 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
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If we teach our children today, as
we taught them yesterday, we rob
our children of tomorrow.
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Thank You
for supporting this initiative.
Innovation Education at Tom Newby
School is alive and well.
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