Husin Ludsuman Abdu-halim, Principal I of Ma-luso Central Elementary School, couldn’t wait to show the mobile digital laboratory to his kindergarten pupils when he gets back to Basilan.
Teacher Sin, as he is called by students and co-teachers, thinks that this latest initiative from undisputed leader in mobile Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) will help make learning more engaging for the young learners in his school.
“Our kinder kids, who are mostly five-year-olds, are excited about using the gadgets. I’m pretty sure they will be motivated to learn with the help of technology,” he assured.
Teacher Sin said even the students’ parents were amazed when they learned that their children will get to use tablets in kindergarten school. More often than not, only students in higher grade levels or in high school get to use gadgets.
Just like Teacher Sin’s students, kindergarten learners from 14 other public schools across the country will soon experience digital learning through the Smart TechnoCart, an innovative mobile digital laboratory designed to facilitate formative learning among young pupils with the use of mobile devices and applications.
Each Smart Techno Cart contains 20 tablets for the use of students; a tablet, laptop and projector for the use of the teacher; Smart Bro pocket WiFi with load for connectivity; and the Smart One Campus, a learning management system to help administrators and teachers track and measure their students’ academic performance. Its compact and portable design makes it easy for the teacher to transfer the laboratory from one classroom to another.
To help schools optimize the use of the Smart TechnoCart, teachers are also given training on tablet basics. They are also provided training on child and curriculum development by the Community of Learners Foundation (COLF).
The Smart TechnoCart tablets are pre-loaded with the Batibot mobile app, the first localized mobile app aligned with the Kindergarten curriculum based on the hugely popular children’s television show. Developed with COLF and startup partner OrangeFix, the mobile app makes available educational content from the TV show into the mobile device for mobility and accessibility. Just like the TV show, the Batibot app is also in Filipino.
“The Smart Techno Cart is a mobile laboratory designed to address the need of young students for interactive and engaging learning tools to help them better grasp basic concepts. It does make for smarter learning,” said Ramon R. Isberto, head of Public Affairs at Smart.
Smart, through its LearnSmart program, has implemented various initiatives aimed at enhancing Philippine education across the learning stages. To know more about Smart’s education initiatives, and how you can help other kindergarten schools have their own Smart TechnoCart, click on www.smart.com.ph/learnsmart. PR
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