Windows 7-based Tablets Offer Choice Platform for Mobile Learning and Education

It’s incredible the transformation we’re seeing in education as technology is increasingly embraced by educators and students across the world. For over 20 years, Microsoft has been actively pursuing a variety of ways that technology can improve outcomes in the classroom, when properly introduced and implemented. Earlier this week, my colleague Anthony Salcito blogged about some cool new devices for schools that were showcased at CES and 2012 trends in education; today I’d like to share a couple of stories from Windows 7 customers taking advantage of tablets in education.

Enabling Mobile Learning for Students

Based in Taipei, Taiwan, ET Learning Group is a leading developer of digital learning solutions for students from preschool to high school. They realized how the traditional desktop PC could limit students’ learning and wanted to create a mobile learning environment where learning could take place at any time to meet the growing needs of today’s students.

To meet these needs, ET Learning developed a self-learning environment for students called GO100 that includes an online tutoring program, eSchoolbag. ET Learning chose to create eSchoolbag for Windows 7-based tablet PCs to leverage student and teacher familiarity with Windows and to also make it easier for them to design, develop and update the program. It’s easy to install additional learning materials on the tablets, as well as transfer ET Learning’s already existing desktop applications.

“We can transfer our educational applications to the slate PCs with Windows 7 without any need for major redevelopment or modification,” says Kuo Ying-Biao, Chief Executive Officer at ET Learning Group. “And since students are very familiar with the Windows operating environment, they can extend their usage habits to the slate PC with ease.”

Familiar Interface and Ability to Safeguard Information

ET Learning’s eSchoolbag on Windows 7-based tablets provides students with the opportunity to take their learning materials on the go and effectively study in virtually any environment. Since most teachers, students and parents are already familiar with eSchoolbag’s Windows 7 interface, teachers are able to create their lesson plans more easily, students can begin working in their new learning environment almost immediately, and parents are comfortable with the technology.

“By using eSchoolbag with slate PCs running Windows 7, students increase their interest in learning,” says Shin Yong Xin, General Manager of ET Learning Group. “Because they can work anytime, without limitation on time and space, students are happy to learn.”

ET Learning is also able to easily safeguard their intellectual property since their security solution they use works seamlessly with the data-protection capabilities in Windows 7. Shin Yong Xin says that Windows 7-based tablets were the best choice for the ET Learning eSchoolbag.

Students, Teachers and Parents Benefit from Mobile Learning

Also based in Taipei, Taiwan, the Peng Lai Elementary School is using Windows 7-based tablets with ET Learning’s eSchoolbag program to achieve their five “Rs” – reading, research, response, report and remediation. With eSchoolbag and Windows 7-based tablets, students are able to access reading materials that go beyond their traditional textbooks while also building their research skills. Teachers can easily monitor students’ progress and evaluate the learning process. The school is also able to aid students’ independent learning skills.

Moving to FIC Tycoon TVB00 tablets running Windows 7, Peng Lai Elementary students have an innovative and flexible learning environment that they can take anywhere with them.

“With eSchoolbag and slate PCs, students can study their course work anytime or anywhere,” says Wu Zhung Jung, Principal of Peng Lai Elementary School. “For example, they can learn while using mass transportation. Students can review past materials or skip ahead. It is a convenient and effective way of teaching.”

This approach is also cost effective for the school since they are able to easily access archived materials that are stored on Windows hardware platforms, allowing them to maximize their existing resources and previous investments. Additionally, parents and students are already familiar with the Windows user interface, and the tablet PCs are compatible with students’ home PCs and even their cell phones, making for a seamless experience all around.

“Students, teachers, and parents all benefit from the learning tools available with slate PCs and the eSchoolbag software,” says Wu Zhung Jung. “The tools have increased interaction between parents and teachers, and have been very popular.”

To learn more check out the newly released Microsoft case studies and videos of the ET Learning Group and Peng Lai Elementary School.