There will be an ebook tablet, and writer. This will be a digital eInk screen with a stylus to allow the student to markup eBooks, and create new documents that can remain on the tablet. With this in mind, there will be a larger screen, and therefore a higher cost. The advantage of this however will mean less paper waste since notepads, pencils, and pens do not have to be purchased. The ebook tablet will host a wide range of options, and designed to support a number of formats. The eBook tablet will have the following specs that are beyond NSC Requirements
- 1.5Ghz dual core CPU, and 2GB memory
- Sandisk 32GB micro-SD card
- 10.2 300dpi color eInk screen
- Folio Cover for protecting the screen
Rationale
The ebook tablet will be required to not only provide for carrying “text books” in their tablet, but also to write notes, and personal files in their tablet. This will require a reasonably good system, and this need will be something that should last throughout the student’s school time for the entire 12 years. This tablet will serve as their textbook, and their notebook for getting assignments done. This will save money as the student won’t need to buy paper and pens that might go to waste, get lost, or get ruined once water hits it.
The ebook tablet will have a 1.5Ghz CPU which will be sufficient enough to handle the stylus, and marking up. All of the educational texts will be in .klib format. This will support reading and writing. This will allow the student to write their own notes into the textbook without making changes to the master file located in the Kaldan Library archive. Also, any files that they write in the tablet will be in .klib file format. This will allow the student to write their notes, and will allow the tutor, or instructor to provide their own context to the note. The tablet can also be used to create a journal. This is not only good for personal well being, but also for scientific research, and other resources. The system will require more memory not only for the color eInk screen, but also the stylus support. With that in mind, the .klib file will be the most demanding tasks.
The 1GB of integrated storage is for the tablet’s OS which all electronics these days has an OS. The SDXC card slot is for the books, and personal files. The tablet will come with a 32GB card for the books, and written notes. The battery will be sufficient even for an eBook tablet. This will allow the tablet to go days, or even potentially a week without needing to be charged. However, there will be a tone when the tablet falls below 20% power. For charging, it will be done by USB-C which is required for any device using 240 watts or less.
The stylus is essential for writing notes in their books, and writing notes in the tablet. This is essential to keep the number of items needed for daily school activity to a minimum. Since all stylus tips wear out, the student will be able to purchase a 5 pack of tips from the school store. Wifi-5 and Bluetooth 5 will be used to connect the tablet to the internet, and transfer files between the tablet, and the computer. This will be essential for productivity without having to always pull the SDXC card in and out with the tablet, and notebook PC. Bluetooth will also be functional for using the voice to text dictation. One would just need a bluetooth earphone with a microphone. All files will be save as .klib file format. The standard file format support will allow the tablet to not only read .klib files, but other more popular formats.