Buying a tablet and giving it to children is the easiest thing to do, writes Sarah Carabott, but creating the right environment for its use requires time and patience, according to the tablet-per-child project leader. The infrastructure will be tested over the next two years and parents and teachers are prepared before the nationwide roll-out in 2016. Martin Debattista answers some of the questions raised.

Parents’ questions

I supervise my son’s internet use at home. What if, at school, he starts surfing internet sites that are not suitable?

Internet in State schools has been filtered for years. Outside of schools, safe browsing is the parents’ responsibility. However, in the ongoing pilot project we’re testing out different solutions to extend the relatively safer environment outside of schools.

I am scared that the tablet will make my child shun books even more.

We need to see why children don’t like reading. The tablet is not the cause but it could be part of the solution. We’re aware of these concerns and we are going to make sure that the tablets make children more comfortable with reading. Tablets provide a larger selection and easier access to texts and we are also researching software that gives a boost to children with reading challenges like dyslexia. Digitising workbooks will also make school bags lighter.

Will my son forget how to use a pencil?

The tablet will not replace all other technologies and the pencil is a piece of technology. Children will still be getting their hands dirty and the Education Directorate will be monitoring what goes on in classes to make sure of this.

Will there be any educational apps included on the tablets?

We want our children to read and write better and we’re going to exploit the different functions of the tablet to reach that goal. The tablet is a good e-book reader, so you can have text on it. Since we’re talking about eight- and nine-year-olds, wherever possible we’ll have interactive text that can be coloured, highlighted, listened to and recorded.

What educational value can a tablet really have?

Research abroad has shown that tablets are excellent educational tools if used in the right way. The tablet project is part of the National Literacy Strategy For All, published in June, which addresses a worrying aspect of our educational system where children are falling behind in terms of literacy.

Children already have a lot of screen time at home and I feel we should not increase that at school because too much makes concentration even more difficult and stunts hands-on creativity.

We took into consideration the concern of too much exposure to new technology and not leaving enough time for motor skills development and playing outdoors. We came up with a set of rules, called the Acceptable Use Policy, which state that tablets should not be used continuously for more than 60 minutes, cannot be taken out in the yard during lunchtime and cannot be used within 60 minutes before children go to sleep. Parents have to enforce it at home and teachers in the classroom and they both have to sign this policy.

Tablets can be very addictive. This could mean more work for parents to regulate their use at home.

It is the parents’ duty to monitor children. A tablet does not mean parents have to do more monitoring but they have to switch from monitoring a child playing with a doll or a toy car to monitoring them on a tablet. We are fully aware that not all family situations are the same but parents who do not monitor their children are beyond our control. The education of the children, on the other hand, is in our control and we are living in a digital society.

If they get to take the tablet home, then children will feel that it’s theirs and they can use it any time they like.

In the pilot phase we are still assessing how children are reacting to the fact that they have been given a free tablet that comes with a list of duties. The tablet can be taken away as a disciplinary measure if they mishandle it during the pilot project.

Who is responsible if my daughter breaks her tablet by accident?

If there is wilful damage we can stop a child from taking part in the pilot project. When it comes to the national roll-out in 2016, we will draw guidelines depending on the outcomes of the pilot project.

Will my child take the tablet home and how can I know what schoolwork was done?

In the pilot project, most of the students are taking the tablet home but, for the sake of research, some aren’t. When it comes to the national roll-out, our current position (before the evaluation of the pilot project) is that students take the tablet home so that they can continue working on what they did in class. Yes, the parents will be able to access their schoolwork.

What if I do not have internet at home?

We’re aware of households without internet access although statistics show that the absolute majority have broadband internet. To cater for this, there is one particular class in the pilot project that has 3G installed and can access filtered internet outside of school. The tablet will also have preloaded applications which don’t need internet.

Teachers’ questions

What if a student takes a picture with the tablet?

Teachers will be in control of the tablet’s microphone and the camera through classroom management software. They will know what’s going on. They will be able to switch the screen off, broadcast what they’re seeing on the tablet on to the interactive whiteboard and even communicate with a particular tablet. The Education Department can also wipe or lock a tablet remotely from its offices. At the same time, digitally-literate citizens and children need to know the implications of sharing the picture, so students are already being taught about this.

Will children with special needs be getting a tablet?

All children will be getting tablets. The apps will depend on the child’s individual education programme.

Will teachers have to convert all their material?

Teachers have had a laptop for several years and the transition has been going on since then. Now it will just have to be transferred to the tablet. If teachers have material that hasn’t yet been digitised, then it’s high time they did it.

If students have their books and notes on the tablet, what happens when it’s damaged or they forget it at home?

It is the children’s duty to bring the tablet to class just as they have to bring schoolbooks. If they don’t, they will be disciplined. Meanwhile, we are looking into saving the data on the tablets on virtual platforms like icloud so that if it is accidentally damaged the material can be retrieved.

There might be bottle leaks in the bag.

Parents have been warned because this happens quite often with books, which often have to be taken out of bags to dry. Students are also not allowed to eat or drink near the tablet.

Will schools be equipped with powerful enough internet and enough electricity sockets for all children in the classrooms?

Internet has been boosted in classes taking part in the project. The tablets have to be charged at home under adult supervision and special charging units have been installed for those who leave the tablet at school when they go home.