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L-R Erina, Mollie, Nicholas, Craig and Kyle show their HP tablet personal computers.
The trial’s purpose is to introduce young students to technology and integrate it into the classroom environment in a way that motivates and engages students in the learning process.
The tablets are A4 in size, portable, touch sensitive and use a stylus pen rather than a keyboard or mouse to enter data, making the tablet ideal for young children who can find keyboards and mice difficult to use.
Creating tablet resource material has been the responsibility of Year 9 form teacher, Liz Rhodes, who says she is constantly trying to think of ways the tablet can be used in class.
A storybook assignment on the natural environment around the school saw the five tablet students creating e-storybooks by writing onto the screen, uploading digital images, laying voiceovers and using an array of fonts, colours and artwork. Year 2 students have been paired with older students and will read from either the e-book or conventional book. The engagement and motivational levels of e-book readers will be monitored and compared against conventional storybook users.
As the pilot progresses, the five students will learn about desktop publishing, video making and animation. It is also hoped they will be able to take the tablets home with them.
Education consultant from Learning Enhancement Associates, Dean Stanley, is monitoring Project CHaOS. He says the first few months of the tablet trial has gone well, but more testing and research is needed and technical obstacles have to be overcome before the true benefit for children’s education can be established.
Principal, Chris Bryant, says the school remains firmly committed and focused on developing students’ literacy and numeracy skills but in the day and age where technology abounds, schools must look at ways of using technology to their advantage to help children learn. | 
