[kictanet] Opinion split on whether laptops are a priority in schools

Sun Apr 14 11:45:09 EAT 2013

On Sun, 2013-04-14 at 09:30 +0300, Ali Hussein wrote:
> I'm sure we can have both. Computer literacy, ability to read, write
> and arithmetic is not a matter of either or. In this new brave world a
> lack of any of the above is a recipe for disaster.

Reasons why Tablets in Schools would be a good idea:

        They save money - that is assuming that the school would
        normally buy books for the learners and now can provide soft
        copies of the same books. This should mean that the curriculum
        is always up to date. 

        They potentially make teachers lives more simple - saving time
        in administration and marking and allow more time for teaching.

        They allow classes with different levels of ability to more
        easily be taught together.

        By allowing learners to do their own research into questions,
        learners actually learn more and enjoy the process of learning
        and actually become smarter.

This is not about setting up computer labs to turn learners into
computer scientists - its about using current technology to equip
learners with the life skills needed in order to make them productive
citizens in the world of tomorrow.

> I won't even start pretending to be an expert in Government but here
> are probably a few pointers on where the money for all the above can
> come from.
> 
> 
> 1. Zero tolerance (I know its wishful thinking but we are allowed to
> dream) and I mean really zero tolerance on corruption will unlock
> billions for these noble activities.
> 
> 
> 2. Savings from Government consolidation.
> 
> 
> 3. The Kroll Report Billions.
> 
> 
> It's time we as Kenyans stop paying lip service to Good Government and
> actually demand it. 
> 
> Ali Hussein
> CEO | 3mice interactive media Ltd
> Principal | Telemedia Africa Ltd
> 
> 
> +254 773/713 601113
> 
> 
> "The future belongs to him who knows how to wait." - Russian Proverb
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> 
> On Apr 14, 2013, at 1:58 AM, Warigia Bowman <warigia at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> > Personally, I believe it is more important to get the fundamentals
> > of reading, writing and arithmetic down. If there is a small
> > computer lab, that is fine. But until every child in Kenya has a
> > free secondary school education, I argue that this is an example of
> > misplaced priorities. 
> > 
> > 
> > On Sat, Apr 13, 2013 at 3:13 PM, Grace Githaiga
> > <ggithaiga at hotmail.com> wrote:
> >         IN SUMMARY
> >         
> >               * Critics say the idea is noble but many schools lack
> >                 basics and laptops are a mere luxury
> >               * Report shows that as high as 90 per cent of teachers
> >                 are computer illiterate; who will aid pupils?
> >         http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Opinion-split-on-whether-laptops-are-a-priority-in-schools/-/1056/1747588/-/item/1/-/sxhoh3/-/index.html 
> >         
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> > 
> > -- 
> > Dr. Warigia Bowman
> > Assistant Professor 
> > Clinton School of Public Service
> > University of Arkansas
> > wbowman at clintonschool.uasys.edu
> > ------------------------------------------------- 
> > View my research on my SSRN Author page: 
> > http://ssrn.com/author=1479660 
> > -------------------------------------------------- 
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> > 
> > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder
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> > 
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> 
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