Research conducted by the Education Ministry showed that 36.9% of students nationwide do not possess any electronic devices. The findings were part of the ministry’s research involving the teaching and learning platform (PdP) on access to communications technology among teachers and students.

Senior Minister (Education) Dr. Mohd Radzi Md Jidin said, according to the findings, 6% of students have their own computers, 5.67% own tablets, 9% own laptops and 46% have smartphones.

The research involved more than 670,000 parents and almost 900,000 students and found that ownership of hardware and electronic devices for learning from home is limited.

“A total of 36.9% of the students do not have any devices,” he told a press conference today. “There are limitations to online access and it is challenging for parents and their children who do not possess any electronic devices, "he said.

Reference: Article+Ministry of Education Survey 2020

Sabah Education director Dr. Mistirine Radin admitted that lack of internet access and gadgets such as smartphones among students from the state’s rural and interior areas pose a challenge to the PdPc sessions. Mistirine told Bernama that based on accumulated data, 98% of teachers in Sabah are prepared to conduct online PdPc because they are fully equipped with WiFi, internet data, and gadgets to run the sessions.

Unfortunately, about 52% of the students in the state do not have access to the internet and smartphones, computers, or mobile gadgets that are needed to participate in the sessions scheduled by their teachers, she said.

Online learning is not new in education because it has been practiced in school. Normally, sessions in school are held at computer labs equipped with high-speed internet.

Reference: Article

• Increased Focus and Motivation

Making schoolwork more fun and more interactive adds extra incentive for students – tablets can help to increase focus and motivation.

The Tablets for School researchers discovered that 87% of students found learning easier due to their tablet, 72% believed their standard of work had improved and 69% expressed a significant increase in motivation.

Tablets can help to increase focus and motivation. The virtual environment created by a tablet is stimulating for students who may feel unmotivated by a traditional classroom setting. This helps to increase the forms of learning available to the students. A number of teaching methods found on The Learning Pyramid can be efficiently provided and aided by a tablet device.

• The student/teacher relationship

Many struggling students are intimidated by the idea of asking their teachers for help with questions or subjects they find difficult or confusing – sitting quietly, hoping the problem goes away. A tablet device can allow students to anonymously ask questions and seek help when they are feeling confused. An application such as FeedbackFruits helps to keep the identity of students voicing concerns a secret – increasing the chance students will actually seek help.

Additionally, work completed on a tablet can be shared between students and teachers at all times – accommodating instant feedback and improved correspondence.

Reference: Can tablets really help students learn in the classroom?