Tablets for textbooks in schools is still seen as futuristic, especially for public schools in the Philippines, but the use of technology in education is growing. While books are still the primary medium of instruction, digital tools may eventually replace print textbooks. Tablets could help alleviate the heavy book loads carried by students and correct errors in public school textbooks. Tablets may engage students accustomed to computer games and videos in the same way gaming enhances learning. However, several factors make widespread tablet adoption difficult for Philippine schools, including cost, durability concerns, lack of technical expertise, and inadequate basic school infrastructure. Technology could still help address educational challenges with proper management.

1. Bicol University
College of Agriculture and Forestry
Guinobatan, Albay
Lesson18
TABLETS FOR TEXTBOOKS IN SCHOOLS
Prepared by:
Naga Elaine N.
Nieva Ivy Joy V.
III-BAT-ATE2

2. For Philippine schools,
even for private ones
catering to children of
the well-to do families,
the so-called Tablets-for-
learning is still futuristic.
Given, however, the
recognized impact of
technology in education,
the future may not be
too far away.

3. Today, books are still the primary medium
of instruction in most schools. It is doubtful
if this will totally be replaced by digital
technology reading tools, but there are
now perceptions that virtual literacy may
very well ease out textual print literacy.

4. For school graders, the
load of books and
workbooks for every
subject are backbreaking
due to their weight and
size. In developing
countries, one-book for
every student is still a
goal, not a reality.

5. The errors in public school
textbooks have also been
exposed, errors resulting
from wrong information,
technical mistakes, and
editorial lapses. Today,
technology is being viewed
as a savior.

6. Given the fact that students
are enamored by computer
games which take much of
their time at home,
educators have begun to
think that the computer
screen can very well serve
as a powerful educational
medium.

7. Classroom instruction
which rides the vehicle of
gaming admittedly makes
learning more effective
and more fun. From
studies, educational video
gaming has been shown
to inculcate competencies
that relate to learning
concentration, lasting
memory recall and higher
visual literacy.

8. The effectiveness of book print also
wanes in comparison with the visual
images school children have become
used to after the advent of television,
video and computer gaming.

9. Developing softwares
using the Tablets will
entail the participation of
teachers who will have to
be trained in preparing
interactive , graphically-
rich, and effective learning
modules. This won’t be a
problem as teachers wish
to assume the new role of
teachers for a digital
generation.

10. Tablets for Schools

11. Use of tablet in public schools in the
country may be difficult considering certain
factors:
(a)Cost of one tablet for one student is not
within budget capability or beyond capability
of government which cannot even fully
comply with one book for one student.

12. (b) Books have
more durability
compared with
electronic
gadgets due to
handling, energy
changing, heat
and moist.

13. (c) Technical expertise
for the learning software
is not widely available.
Swift evolution of content
in learning may outrun
the tedious preparation
of softwares making the
product irrelevant to the
dynamism of educational
programs.

14. Conditions in the Philippine
education show youths in far-
flung areas not reached, number
of classrooms and facilities
inadequate, quality of work life of
teachers below standards.
Embarking in technology in
education may appear
problematic, but systems
management may still resolve
many problems.

15. Technology itself may be
a key to problem resolution
and Filipino ingenuity is called
to respond to the challenge
facing the digital generation of
the millennium.

16. LAPTOP TABLET
Portable with hardware
included in product
Full keyboard for easy,
accurate encoding
Full screen for viewing,
browsing, enjoying
entertainment content
Heavy weight (3-9 lbs.)
Small, portable and light (1
lb.)
Full control of screen and
applications
Touch screen with stylus or
fingers
Can store all your music,
photos, videos
Built-in flash camera
Built-in eReader to read
books
Durable but touch screen
can scratch, damage screen
display

17. ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY
A. Create a photos display of technology devices
(cellphones, personal computer, tablets, laptops, e-
cam, gaming gadgets, etc.) being used by the digital
society today:
B. Describe the capabilities of these devices which
youths, families of OFWs, workers especially in
Metro-Manila’s trading-finance-industrial districts
find very useful as means for business, socializing
and leisure.
C. Recalling psy-fiction movies, make projections of
how virtual media will develop in the futuristic
space travel and homesteading in the orbit, the
moon, and twin planets in the galaxy.

18. THANK YOU!!!