Can tablet devices bring the much needed educational reform?

Tablet computing devices had been around for quite a long time but then, they used to be sluggish with unimpressive features, were poorly designed and low in sales figures. The iPad was launched in 2010 and revived this genre. What followed it was a big bunch of similar products running on Android by different manufacturers. 2011 is no different as we've already seen the launch of iPad2 (in the US and European countries) and tablets by Samsung, LG, HTC and other manufacturers as well.

The other day, I was playing with my 4 year old niece and the toy she was holding in her hands was the iPad. I was amused at the ease with which she was accessing games, pictures and videos on that device and that incident made me think if tablet devices can bring the much needed change in educational system in India. When i was 4 year old, we did not have the computer at home but when one was bought in the year 1999, it took me some time to get used to those strange things called mouse and keyboard. Today, with tablets in the market, the children don’t have to worry about those peripheral devices as all the operations are touch based.

We all know that operating devices with touch interface is much easier than controlling them indirectly via non-touch peripherals like keyboard or mouse. This technology can come quite handy in teaching primary school students. The schools in USA are already using the iPad to teach them The students in this age group are keen to learn as well as quick to adapt. If their learning is started using these devices, they will learn it rather quickly and in a fun way. When the Rs 1500 tablet (Sakshat) was announced last year by the Union HRD Minister, that was the defining moment when according to me the policy makers thought that the educational system needs reform in terms of how teaching is done and students learn. Students are still being taught by ages old system using chalk and blackboards with almost no difference between the times of gurukuls and present day schools.

If and when the "Rs 1500 tablet" is launched, it'll slowly but surely change the teaching system. Teaching, using such devices has many benefits. Firstly, books and other stationery need not be bought. The government body that designs curriculum can distribute digital copies to schools at minimal prices who in turn can distribute them to students. Secondly, apps are already available for major platforms to help primary students study but with quite less investment, similar apps can be developed by curriculum designing authorities covering all students of all age groups and subjects according to the syllabus. This would be cheaper to do because they'll only have to design the content minus the additional costs of printing and logistics etc. Other than these reasons, life would be easier for students as well, as sharing content would be easy and they can spend time understanding the concept rather than spending time copying it down from one notebook to another or taking turns standing at the photocopy shop.

All of this won't happen in a day or two but will take some years to change and seep into the deep roots of our education system. I've already done schooling, but let's hope for better classrooms for generations to come.