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**JP Farnsworth** » 2013-02-20 16:16

I don't know if these things are helping but the kids are happy :cry:

**Spin Doctor** » 2013-01-24 17:42

These tablets are useless unless educational software has been created to run on them. Who on Antigua is going to write the software to go on these tablets?
You won't find any tablet software out in the market place written for a student teacher class room environment because even first world countries like the U.S. and the U.K. don't supply tablets to pupils.

Some people have said they will replace books, but who is going to scan these books so they can be read on the tablets and who is going to pay the copyright fees?

The batteries on these tablets last 4 years MAX, and in this environment they will probably only last 2 1/2 - 3 years. The batteries cannot be replaced by the students they have to be sent away to be replaced, so who will pay for that?.

The money would have been better spent on books or if they really wanted to invest in IT then desktop PCs at the school.

**John French II** » 2013-01-22 20:18

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock! In particular, MOE mus recognize: the need for curriculum, professional and resource development to match the rapid pace of technological change, to ensure that educational programs are cuurent to CXC both in their use of technological skills and inclusion of technological information;
the continuing need to take advantage of advances in telecommunicati on and information technologies to meet the infrastructure requirements of the system and to maintain parity with developments external to the syaytem ie terutiary education in other jurisdictions, and;
the ongoing need to better serve the public by optimizing the capabilities of the system, through technological enhancements and alternatives in the delivery of educational services.
It will be the intent to flesh out these suggestions in future comments. A word of caution. Private Public Partnerships should be entered into with fully accessible Request for Proposals by all who may wish to respond to the Terms of Reference. They should meet the test Of Tenders Board. Honesty, Transparency & Accountability at All Times. Pay Attention To Pompey!
Oh Gad! Pray Fuh Mi Picknees!

**John French II** » 2013-01-22 19:59

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock! Given that the iPads have already bolted the GATE or as Abdul would say, "the genie is out of the bottle" GoAB and the "Bewildered & Bemused Electorate" must be forever mindful of CA's COI and comments by Jane, Pompey, Kwame Nikosi, Morris, Tenman, Skyewill, IT Guru, Fireworks et al and reprogram its Strategic Imperatives. Let me begin with a suggested Policy Framework for the Ministry of Education: MOE should develop a policy statement of direction and commitment on the role of Educational Technology (ET) within A&B's Education System; Cabinet Priorities Committee and MOE should adopt a plan that: recognizes the limited resources and directs those resources gradually to provide the greatest system-wide benefit, optimize time and effort spent addressing ET issues, address the issues in a comprehensive manner, and, is adaptive to ongoing developments and requirements.
MOE must recognize that current and emerging Educational Technologies will have special significance in the continuing Nation Building of this SIDS with specific emphasis on education and life long learning for residents and citizens.

**John French II** » 2013-01-22 19:30

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock! This Transaction Has all the hallmarks of COI, Lack of Cabinet Solidarity and "One Up Manship". With the Budget 2013 debate, it should have become apparent to all that GoAB is not Transformationa l but a noisy "rag-tag" devoid of Strategic Thinking. In CA's Spencer Sides with Mansoor this commenter provided a detailed 7 part comment The Transactional Takes Center Stage & Transformationa l Finds A Home In The Dustbin!suggesting that Quote:

Educational Technology should be an important building block for A&B's Education System from Pre School to Tertiary.

Read more: http://www.caribarena.com/antigua/news/latest/102240-spencer-sides-with-mansoor.html#ixzz2IkVgd6hR
To those encouraging the creation of smart classrooms et al, "if you don't know where you are going any road will get you there", you are doing exactly what the ICT minister has done shooting blindly without a vision, mission & Strategic Plan to transform Education and create Educational Technology which should be one of the Building Blocks for the Future of Preschool, Elementary, USE and Tertiary Education in Antigua & Barbuda.

**John French II** » 2013-01-22 18:30

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock! this commenter has in many comments on this Transaction avoided the hardware issues and focused on encouraging collaboration between the Ministry of Education Advisory Board, BOE & ICT. Before proceeding, a response to CA's costing. A visit to a reseller found a fully loaded Samsung Galaxy 2 7" 8 GB Android 4.0 Tablet would cost $249.00 USD with the capacity to add Skype. Google & Gmail Phones are free. Have Mercy Pon Us!
Lest others forget, in response to $10 Million for Students iPad Initiatives, this commenter was unsuccessful to engage my CountryMen in discussions on the necessity for Budget & Strategic Plans to be in harmony in Resolved To Transform! Determined To Deliver! Lovel's Advice to his Cabinet Colleagues. Quote:

The annual budget presents the GoAB’s strategic objectives and its resources ... It is important that the ministries’ business plans & budgets be better linked to GoAB’s strategic priorities to secure better public sector performance

Read more: http://www.caribarena.com/antigua/education/201-education/101995-10-million-for-students-ipad-initiative.html#ixzz2IkGVPluA

**John French II** » 2013-01-22 17:48

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock! CA has published many articles on Conflict of Interest. This mere voice in the wilderness has encouraged CountryWomen to "Follow The Money!" & ask who benefits?
Kwame Nikosi Romeo in a nutshell comment titled The Merchant Class Controls in response to the Article Mansoor Defends Tablet Programme dated Jan 21, 2013 has answered with Quote:

Dr. Edward Mansoor hasty generalization will not benefit Antigua & Barbuda, similar to the IMF agenda, the country will be further pauperized.

Many others, Morris, Tenman, Skyewill et al have lamented this Transaction.
May I encourage reading of IT Management Model - Ready, Aitm Fire it is free download. Key points may be sumarized as follows: Quote:

"Shooting from the hip" creates breakage; The Basics, Ready - Quantify and understand your Objectives, Aim - clearly define you plan, Fire - After evaluating consequences, implement with vigor; Lead by example & coach others to follow this process.

Back to who benefits? Who is the Reseller? It is not Digicel! They must go through the local reseller. Pay Attention! to Jane, Pompey & Kwame Nikosi.

**John French II** » 2013-01-22 17:16

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock! Before further examination of the subject Title, hear from the Venerable Rawlston Pompey in No Free Meals commenting on the Article Digicel Secretive About Concession Package Nov 22, 2012. Quote:

There were never "FREE MEALS." ..., Investors "gave nothing for nothing." ... the objective of an investment was always to make "handsome profits on capital," investors always wanted the "BEST INCENTIVIZED DEALS." It may be 5, 10 or 15 or more years." From Law enforcement training and experience, personnel were always taught that in "Governmental Contractual Arrangements", there were two possibilities "Bribery and Corruption," ." Only Men of scruples avoided these pitfalls. Most countries have enacted (A&B also), what has now been popularly known as "Trillogy of Legislation." intended to eliminate "Bribery and Corruption" and promoting "Transparenc y and Accountability." The investors offers bribes, usually through "influential public officials and/or citizens," thereby "corrupting the integrity of the systems and/or processes." These were not easily detectable.

**John French II** » 2013-01-22 16:57

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock! Friends, "If you cannot be a lighthouse, be a candle"
It would be prudent to revisit the comment of Jane titled Elder State Woman in response tothe Article Computer Tablet Initiative beneficial to Students on Jan 17, 2013. Quote:

In the next few days it will become "pellucidly clear" that there was nothing free about this initiative and it may not even be a Quid Pro Quo situation as I believe the citizens of Antigua and Barbuda will get the short end of the stick. Will we see another monopoly developing within the telecomunicatio n industry after we waited with baited breath for the one held by LIME to end? ... Haven't we learn that it is time to stop selling our souls to every deal that appears to be to good to be true. Every time I travel to the airport and see how our lands were given away, ... hear of the amount of money we have to pay to the owners of Half Moon Bay ... the fact that hotels on ... prime beach front land remains closed and they (we) appear helpless to remedy the situation, I hung my head in shame. When will we ever learn?

**JP Farnsworth** » 2013-01-22 15:04

maybe if APUA got some tablets they could take management courses? some could learn accounting and how to get the bill out on time? Nawww that would be a good thing we don't do good things. We just ridcule people that do good things like Mansoor. The program is not perfect but it's better than the ones offered so far. Oh darn it no others have been offered.

**EasilyAnnoyed** » 2013-01-22 13:53

Oh my, My mistake, I agree with whoever wrote this article. This tablet thing is nonsense

**EasilyAnnoyed** » 2013-01-22 13:50

I am in agreement with Mr. Mansoor. WELL SAID COMING FROM an I.T. EXPERT!!!!!!!!! !

**skyewill** » 2013-01-22 13:39

Sad but true. This would be great for APUA if they had a management team they could expand, train current staff increase revenue and create new talents. Why we so hate each other?

**Southern Beauty** » 2013-01-22 13:21

The problem is Antiguans lub too much FREEBS. Look at the history - free computer access labs all over the country (dust gathering on almost all), free mobile computer labs (only a few students can attend), free tablets (time will tell). At the end of the day we're clamoring over the crumbs - the hardware which is obselet as soon as it launches. While Digicel gets the real pie the connectivity and the access to more connectivity and ACT get money for bringing in hardware the government can get at peppercorn prices in bulk. How can a government block technology from itself? Why doesn't APUA have the right to launch 4G. And by the way 3G+ is fast enough for the entire island. WAKE UP!

**tenman** » 2013-01-22 10:58

Henry Hudson & Morris & George- you asked why not smart classrooms? Because it would not have helped Digicel marketing effort. Agreed the smart classroms would have been more in the students interest. Digicel expects to make money from this exercise. Those students even before graduation are Digicel customers. We cannot blame Digicel for what is a very smart marketing move.

..

**Henry Hudson** » 2013-01-22 09:29

Why didn't the government just go with the smart classrooms, so that all the students can benefit instead of the selected few. Giving everyone the opportunity to benefit. What about the poor family that can hardly afford to put food on the table. THEY will benefit from that.

**Henry Hudson** » 2013-01-22 09:21

A.P.U.A doesn't have the money to pay their bills to W.I.O.C and APC, so the government needs to take it hand out of their pocket. On the other hand APUA has the infrastructure in place to provide 4G Enhanced and 3G+ just sitting there, waiting on the government for the green light. The government that loves us so much has willingly created another monopoly just to squeeze the local.

**skyewill** » 2013-01-22 09:05

It's the same idea as morris's smart classroom! Smart classrooms have desk tops as I discribed alson with teachers/facilitators.
@ morris - perfect

**Fireworks** » 2013-01-22 09:04

When the ALP chaleenged the election results in Rural North, St. Georges and I think Rural west,.... we heard promises from Dr. Mansoor that Digicel would be givng the residents there in Yorks, Villa and parts of the PM constituency, free internet access. Lo and behold, the Court ruled in the UPP favor, and just like most UPP promises, that went out the window.
What became of that Dr. Mansoor?... I'm not surprised the PM demoted you, as the people can see right through you and when you stop being soo arrogant.... maybe then the love and sympathy you desperately crave will be shown to you.

**The Onlooker** » 2013-01-22 08:53

Let me remind the readers that government will be paying $72 million for the 5 yrs of mobile connectivity they will be receiving

**Young analyst** » 2013-01-22 08:51

Mr Mansoor you said that digicel is funding 2.4 million of the initiative, which is again as you said "almost the total of the tablet fund." So are we to think that this project cost a lot more and Digicel is just covering a percentage, if so who giving the rest funds? Another thing i really do not know how digicel could come up with the 71 million figure, which is they say is the same as their 4G LTE 50GB plan when it is only half of the day the students when get free connection. How can it worth the same, come on Minister, something seems to be missing.

**Meigo Man** » 2013-01-22 07:42

Hey we only have to worry about getting past the next elections...we don't need to be concerned about any questions related beyond twelve months!

**IT Guru** » 2013-01-22 07:40

The trend 5-10 years down the road will be smartphone & complex mobile apps with cloud computing. If the technology plan is stuck with 2005-2010 tablets by the time it’s launched we will have the fiasco we are having now with the new library. Technology is not fixed like brick and mortar so when projects like the library takes 10 to 20 years to come to fruition you should be able to flip switches to comprehensive free wireless access points in the rooms designated for study. Keep in mind that in 5-10 years there may be new types of access point technology but fixed objects like libraries, eschools and eGovernment will still be covered. The technology plan should be in collaboration with bright IT Techs, the Education department, the business community and the public at large. Finally consider doing more research to study the trends in technology. Do not entertain any political gimmicks in the technology plan. A better plan is to make technology/acce ss available to all. Study: www.gartner.com/DisplayDocument?id=1926316&ref=g_noreg

**skyewill** » 2013-01-22 07:28

I predict that within months you will have a percentage of these tablets breaking down, then what? Did they setup a repair centre and where will the parts come from and who will pay? A poor family who is having issues with finances can not choose between a tablet and food on the table. With so many schools in disrepair needing , desks and chairs and books and Police and hospital in great need for technology and National Library still not finished, labour department still need a USED server (they say) the Technology minister would serve the country in a more intelligent way by working on building the infilstructure to support the technology first. SO WHILE THIS IS A NICE TO DO OR EVEN A GOOD TO DO, IS IT THE RIGHT THING TO DO?

**skyewill** » 2013-01-22 07:27

They are easy to work on and easy to upgrade. Parts cheaper and will have a life of at least 5 – 10 years. Monitors, mouse and keyboards and internal parts are inexpensive and techs in Antigua already know how to repair them. The parents would not need insurance and the kids can access them at school where teachers/facili tators can guide them to the programs they want them to learn from. Tablets are good for reading but not practical for administrative work or research writing. The one thing tablets will do well is they give the service provider access into the home and they will be able to monitor your activities. I will bet the farm that that capability is imbedded into these systems. Digicel and the government will be able to collect certain information on the user’s environment, habits and contacts and other usable data. If there is no infilstructure or a particular application or site where the student can go to learn a particular subject or participate with a particular group or not all students have the tablet then it is not fair. Can we give every student a tablet year after year after year and afford that?

**skyewill** » 2013-01-22 07:14

Sometimes we do things because they are NICE to do and even GOOD to do. The problem is they are not the RIGHT thing to do. Desk Tops in my opinion would be a better fit, HERE IS WHY: Today you can either buy and or build a desk top that is faster and better than any computer you could have bought a few years ago for 5 times the price. In fact if bought whole sale you could purchase, HP, Dell or any or top brand with 4 to 6 mgs of RAM for less than $400USD that would be more than perfect and THEY CAN BE LOCKED TO DESKS and be made inoperable if removed by an unauthorized person. More students could have access and when a new set of students arrive they also can use these devices.

**Morris** » 2013-01-22 07:00

Smart classrooms, along with state-of-the-ar t media centers, should have been their pursuit instead of this initiative. The questions I would like answered are:
* Why is the education department not the lead on matters of education?
* Was the idea of smart classrooms considered? If so, why was it not pursued?
* Why the determination to create a monopoly? Apart from Digicel, who are the economic beneficiaries?
* Are there plans for upgrades when these tablets are replaced by newer models?
* What is the plan beyond 5 years?

**The Independent** » 2013-01-22 05:39

APUA is hardly able to pay for the electricity it buys from APC and sells to consumers at a considerable mark-up. Where on earth are they going to find the money to invest in such a project? And by the way, APUA receives more concessions than any other company in Antigua & Barbuda. They pay no customs duties, no taxes and enjoy a total monopoly on the supply of electricity, water and and landline telephone service. And they are accountable to no one.

By all means, question the Digicel deal. But to suggest that APUA is capable of delivering such a project is nothing more than wishful thinking.

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