Three weeks into the electoral campaign, Malta has woken up to a new buzzword – tablets. Both major political parties are promising the use of tablets in the Maltese education system, each with a different approach.
Thailand has already launched its ‘One tablet per child’ scheme with 900,000 tablets being given to all first-grade students nationwide at the cost of $96 million
But, what is a tablet after all and what’s their significance in today’s digital world?
According to Wikipedia, a tablet computer, or simply tablet, is a one-piece mobile computer, primarily operated by touch screen; the user’s finger essentially functions as the mouse and cursor, removing the need for a mouse and keyboard and, an onscreen, hideable virtual keyboard is integrated into the display.
So this definitely makes a clear distinction between the electronic tablet and a pill.
But why has Malta suddenly woken up to tablets?
Actually tablets have been in Malta for a few years now, since Apple launched its iPad and the other manufacturers followed suit, creating a new market for these mobile devices at the expense of more traditional computers such as desktop and laptops.
Over the last two years i-Tech has reported how Maltese mobile operators had to cater for an increasing demand for internet on smartphones and tablets.
A simple search in the international news agencies reveals that tablets win considerable coverage with smartphones and internet on the move.
It couldn’t be otherwise given what is happening in the computer industry.
Just last week Reuters reported how Samsung Electronics, the world’s top memory chip maker, said it expects the global personal computer market to shrink by five per cent this year as consumer demand continues to shift to mobile devices such as tablet computers. The PC market declined for the first time in 11 years last year, according to research firm IHS iSuppli.
Holiday season sales of personal computers fell for the first time in more than five years, according to tech industry tracker IDC, as Microsoft Corp’s new Windows 8 operating system failed to excite buyers and many instead opted for tablet devices and smartphones.
The slump caps a miserable year for PC makers such as Hewlett-Packard Co, Lenovo Group and Dell Inc, which saw the first annual decline for more than a decade with no immediate signs of relief.
These personal computer makers, trying to beat back a tablet mania that’s eating into their sales, are making what may be a last-ditch attempt to sway customers by mimicking the competition.
Many of the laptops to be unveiled around the world in coming months will be hybrids or “convertibles” – morphing easily between portable tablets and full-powered laptops with a keyboard, industry analysts say.
With the release of Microsoft’s touch-centric, re-imagined Windows 8 platform in October and more power-efficient chips from Intel, PC makers are trying to spark growth by focusing on creating slim laptops with touchscreens that convert to tablets and vice versa.
Apple’s iPad began chipping away at demand for laptops in 2010, an assault that accelerated with the launch of Amazon.com Inc’s Kindle Fire and other Google Android devices like Samsung Electronics’ Note.
With sales of PCs falling last year for the first time since 2001, this ear may usher in a renaissance in design and innovation from manufacturers who previously focused on reducing costs instead of adding new features to entice consumers.
Furthermore, Reuters reports how television makers, networks and movie studios are embracing the tablet and developing original content and software to drive audience interaction and new advertising revenue after initially dismissing mobile devices as a distraction.
But what about tablets on education, which after all, is what the proposal by the Maltese political parties is all about?
Malta Union of Teachers president Kevin Bonello recently told The Times: “Teachers are still absorbing the latest educational reform, my message is: take it easy. Give teachers the time to absorb.”
This is the same attitude adopted by schools abroad. There was a keen reaction to an article by the Daily Mail quoted on timesofmalta.com a few hours after the political parties put forward their proposals for tablets.
The i reported on January 1 that Honywood Community Science School dished out iPad2 tablets to its 1,200 pupils a year ago, at vast cost to the taxpayer. But after just one year, more than four in 10 of the iPads had been sent off for repair, after being knocked, dropped or scratched; 489 had to be replaced after being found to be beyond repair.
However, the best ever exam results were also record in 48 years, proving the positive impact on students.
New York City is mulling the idea of using tablets in all 17,000 public schools to replace textbooks.
The Aberdeen Public School District in Scotland is waiting for final approval to begin purchasing iPads or other tablet-style computers over the next two school years for district-wide use.
Thailand has already launched its ‘One tablet per child’ scheme, with 900,000 tablets being given to all first-grade students nationwide at the cost of $96 million.
These go to show that tablets are indeed making inroads in the education systems of different countries, and Malta will not be left behind.