New tablet devices are emerging in classrooms, but will they change the traditional learning process? Jose Picardo

“News Corporation’s Amplify education business has launched a US$299 tablet device in the US, taking on Apple in the education technology market.

“To purchase the tablet at the lowest cost price, schools must also purchase a two-year subscription to the company’s teaching software and pre-loaded content for US$99 a year, which includes teacher training and access to telephone support.

“The Android tablet operates an open platform, meaning it supports digital content created elsewhere. It comes preloaded with content from a range of organisations, including online education provider the Khan Academy.

“‘This is more than just a tablet. It’s a complete learning solution organised around the school day,’ said Stephen Smyth, president of Amplify’s Access division.

“News Corp is trying to muscle in on territory that Apple has been trying to corner for some time, said Dr Roland Sussex, Emeritus Professor at the University of Queensland’s Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology.

“‘It’s a two tier thing, you buy the basic tablet and then you buy access to the educational content. They’ve preloaded it with some useful things which will allow the teacher to monitor the students activities.’

“Professor Sussex said while it was a good thing that the offering had a focus on blended learning, its ultimate utility for Australian teachers would depend on what sort of material people wrote for the platform and the licenses Amplify developed with education providers.

“‘They will also look at price and this looks competitively priced, but more than that they will look at educational content,’ he said.

“There is likely to be strong interest in the product from Australia as a result of the pricing, said Dr Gilly Salmon, Pro Vice-Chancellor of learning transformations at Swinburne University of Technology.

“‘Many schools are already either using or experimenting with the use of tablets in the classroom, but the cost is restrictive, so the fact that these people are trying to get something cheap out there is relevant,’ Dr Salmon said.”

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