Tablets for New Tertiary Students

[hustla_ambition101]

Free means more people going, more people getting degrees, better economic productivity...

Issue is education and its structure, anybody can cram to pass exam, no mean dey no sheit bout de subject...same world over, not jus UWI...

Productivity? More like doing for doing sake, little to no passion. To eventually go into a saturated job market and complain.

Iz economics 101, more educated people means higher productivity...

That was the intention. But unfortunately not the result.

Exactly, GATE has only served to have the country overflowing with young people with degrees who are unemployed or underemployed and making no worthwhile contribution to the overall well being of the country. As someone said billions being spent on education and what do we have to show for it

[Ronaldo95163]

So you're saying that education should only be made available to those who can afford it???

[nervewrecker]

So you're saying that education should only be made available to those who can afford it???

Have thing called work, you get pay for it. Teaches you discipline and you appreciate what you getting.
There are various loans you could take and it had the dollar for dollar system.

Rich or poor it does not affect your ability to learn. Could be how rich if yuh dunce the poor guy will cut your ass.

[M_2NR]

Free means more people going, more people getting degrees, better economic productivity...

Issue is education and its structure, anybody can cram to pass exam, no mean dey no sheit bout de subject...same world over, not jus UWI...

Productivity? More like doing for doing sake, little to no passion. To eventually go into a saturated job market and complain.

x2 but dan... don't inject sense... e big

srsly though, there is work to be done in a lot of fields but it continues to stay the way it is. The vacancies in the public service for instance is glaring.

[Ronaldo95163]

So you're saying that education should only be made available to those who can afford it???

Have thing called work, you get pay for it. Teaches you discipline and you appreciate what you getting.
There are various loans you could take and it had the dollar for dollar system.

Rich or poor it does not affect your ability to learn. Could be how rich if yuh dunce the poor guy will cut your ass.

So if you come outta Upper 6(didn't get a schol) from a poor family that can't afford to send you to UWI but you bright....you supposed to go work part time @ 18/19 years old just to send yourself to school???

[Ted_v2]

Isn't that what the people in the states do?
There's student loans and what not?


Makes you learn the value of education and takes discipline

[zoom rader]

Isn't that what the people in the states do?
There's student loans and what not?


Makes you learn the value of education and takes discipline

Yeah and in the UK.
But the PNM made uni edu free caused they felt the trini afro was at a disadvantage. Thats the only reason why we have full free uni edu .

[zoom rader]

^^^ All pnm ideas are good .we have free education in trini but who's making use of it.

[pete]

The people complaining about having a degree and not getting jobs, do they have honors degrees or just bare pass degrees?

[nareshseep]

If it like the kindle paper white i agree, if its like the kindle fire I don't agree

[Slartibartfast]

To me a netbook would be better than a tablet. Most likely cheaper as well (assuming both tablet and netbook have the same specs). Net books are not the ideal or most comfortable or coolest looking thing to use, but it has everything you need (like a tiida).

As for actually needing it; if you are doing engineering, maths, natsci or any other course that requires the use of reference books, it will be a huge help. One book of codes in engineering could be over 1000 pages and UWI will only provide it in softcopy because it could cost over US$500 for it hardcopy.

As for putting restrictions on it, that doesn't make sense. Some degrees requires the use of programs, and some students on their $20/day allowance can't afford to buy a program costing over US$5,000 original so they will pirate it from a "not so reputable" site*.

As for giving it to university students, I say about time. They should have started with giving it to university students instead of to form ones. It not easy getting into university and by being there you showed that effort was put into your education (if not by you, then by your parents at least).

Now what university students decide to do with what is given to them is a different story. I personally know a lot of people that would not have gotten a university degree without the free education (myself included). Me, and a lot of these same people, worked our a$$es of and were grateful for the opportunity being given to us. We know we go an easy break and decided o make the best of it. I will say free education definitely evens the playing field between the rich and the poor. You think it will be just as easy to keep your grades up if your working part time as well?

On the flip side there are, and will always be those that waste what is given to them. Provisions should be put in place to see that these people are punished and not the ones that want and need the opportunity being given (eg. get kickout and have to pay for everything if your GPA drop below a certain threshold)

*To all lawyers out there I was never one of those students that pirate stuff. I never pirate nothing or did drugs or break the law

[desifemlove]

So you're saying that education should only be made available to those who can afford it???

Have thing called work, you get pay for it. Teaches you discipline and you appreciate what you getting.
There are various loans you could take and it had the dollar for dollar system.

Rich or poor it does not affect your ability to learn. Could be how rich if yuh dunce the poor guy will cut your ass.

And dis why plenty US students deciding not to go uni....loans are good for people who can afford to pay them back, or get high paying jobs on graduation.

Is only de country suffering in the long term..

[desifemlove]

^^^ All pnm ideas are good .we have free education in trini but who's making use of it.

All indos is rich? Dude, I studied in both UTT and SBCS, most students Afro and Indo got GATE....and even if a student's family rich, yuh ent tink s/he still getting GATE when it open to all?

[zoom rader]

^^^ All pnm ideas are good .we have free education in trini but who's making use of it.

All indos is rich? Dude, I studied in both UTT and SBCS, most students Afro and Indo got GATE....and even if a student's family rich, yuh ent tink s/he still getting GATE when it open to all?

Read what wrote over again

[S_2NR]

So you're saying that education should only be made available to those who can afford it???

Have thing called work, you get pay for it. Teaches you discipline and you appreciate what you getting.
There are various loans you could take and it had the dollar for dollar system.

Rich or poor it does not affect your ability to learn. Could be how rich if yuh dunce the poor guy will cut your ass.

So if you come outta Upper 6(didn't get a schol) from a poor family that can't afford to send you to UWI but you bright....you supposed to go work part time @ 18/19 years old just to send yourself to school???

Don't worry. When ur piss start to froth you will understand

[nervewrecker]

So you're saying that education should only be made available to those who can afford it???

Have thing called work, you get pay for it. Teaches you discipline and you appreciate what you getting.
There are various loans you could take and it had the dollar for dollar system.

Rich or poor it does not affect your ability to learn. Could be how rich if yuh dunce the poor guy will cut your ass.

So if you come outta Upper 6(didn't get a schol) from a poor family that can't afford to send you to UWI but you bright....you supposed to go work part time @ 18/19 years old just to send yourself to school???

Yup, thats how I did it.

[X2]

So you're saying that education should only be made available to those who can afford it???

Have thing called work, you get pay for it. Teaches you discipline and you appreciate what you getting.
There are various loans you could take and it had the dollar for dollar system.

Rich or poor it does not affect your ability to learn. Could be how rich if yuh dunce the poor guy will cut your ass.

So if you come outta Upper 6(didn't get a schol) from a poor family that can't afford to send you to UWI but you bright....you supposed to go work part time @ 18/19 years old just to send yourself to school???

Ummm... YES.... what you feel it is ?

I worked FULL TIME to pay my way through college, did not live with parents and managed to maintain a vehicle.... as have many other people.... without a laptop either.

I can also speak English very well... proper spelling and grammar... no rum shop speak here... can't say the same for the vast majority of young degree holders on the market today.

A tablet or laptop is not an educational requirement or necessity. Maybe at a tertiary level, but if one can afford to buy lotto tickets, cigarettes and go fete... they can afford to buy their own electronics. A $1000 smartphone can surf the internet too... but do these tablets come with free nationwide wifi ?

[area6]

I think it's backwards ,secondary should have gotten tablets and tertiary the laptops , because I sure as hell not typing no thesis on a blasted tablet , plus the cd to submit our project which is required by most tertiary levels , just another misguided idea and damn straight all them youths going to use it for porn and selfies .

[nervewrecker]

With X2 on this, 100%

I think it's backwards ,secondary should have gotten tablets and tertiary the laptops , because I sure as hell not typing no thesis on a blasted tablet , plus the cd to submit our project which is required by most tertiary levels , just another misguided idea and damn straight all them youths going to use it for porn and selfies .

With Google drive you can edit on a PC or type there, save it and during your spare time edit whatever little tid bits by accessing the same file on your drive.
Saves a lot of time and you can read over your work for mistakes.

[RASC]

I think it's backwards ,secondary should have gotten tablets and tertiary the laptops , because I sure as hell not typing no thesis on a blasted tablet , plus the cd to submit our project which is required by most tertiary levels , just another misguided idea and damn straight all them youths going to use it for porn and selfies .

Side Question:
Still using CD in 2014?

[Trini Hookah]

So you're saying that education should only be made available to those who can afford it???

Have thing called work, you get pay for it. Teaches you discipline and you appreciate what you getting.
There are various loans you could take and it had the dollar for dollar system.

Rich or poor it does not affect your ability to learn. Could be how rich if yuh dunce the poor guy will cut your ass.

So if you come outta Upper 6(didn't get a schol) from a poor family that can't afford to send you to UWI but you bright....you supposed to go work part time @ 18/19 years old just to send yourself to school???

Don't worry. When ur piss start to froth you will understand

Lolllllll, allyuh men harsh bai

[desifemlove]

So you're saying that education should only be made available to those who can afford it???

Have thing called work, you get pay for it. Teaches you discipline and you appreciate what you getting.
There are various loans you could take and it had the dollar for dollar system.

Rich or poor it does not affect your ability to learn. Could be how rich if yuh dunce the poor guy will cut your ass.

So if you come outta Upper 6(didn't get a schol) from a poor family that can't afford to send you to UWI but you bright....you supposed to go work part time @ 18/19 years old just to send yourself to school???

Ummm... YES.... what you feel it is ?

I worked FULL TIME to pay my way through college, did not live with parents and managed to maintain a vehicle.... as have many other people.... without a laptop either.

I can also speak English very well... proper spelling and grammar... no rum shop speak here... can't say the same for the vast majority of young degree holders on the market today.

A tablet or laptop is not an educational requirement or necessity. Maybe at a tertiary level, but if one can afford to buy lotto tickets, cigarettes and go fete... they can afford to buy their own electronics. A $1000 smartphone can surf the internet too... but do these tablets come with free nationwide wifi ?

4G? Why not? dat ent hard to do.. and "Ummm" ent Standard English...lol..

[Ronaldo95163]

Working @ 18/19???

Nah allyuh mad yes

[M_2NR]

I think it's backwards ,secondary should have gotten tablets and tertiary the laptops , because I sure as hell not typing no thesis on a blasted tablet , plus the cd to submit our project which is required by most tertiary levels , just another misguided idea and damn straight all them youths going to use it for porn and selfies .

Side Question:
Still using CD in 2014?

still a requirement up to the end of the last academic year at UWI. Recall they still have PCs using XP in some parts.

[Trini Hookah]

FYP in hard copy AND CD.


YOLO

[hustla_ambition101]

Working @ 18/19???

Nah allyuh mad yes

You on real folly, first thing I did after A's was start sending out applications, I got a job but it wasn't feasible and I could afford to pay for tuition so I left the job and did uwi full time. Not only is working and paying for tuition a great idea for credit worthiness, you also have work experience when your degree is complete giving you an edge. Lots of these newbie degree holders entering the workplace thinking its a big lime.

[Trini Hookah]

Working @ 18/19???

Nah allyuh mad yes

You on real folly, first thing I did after A's was start sending out applications, I got a job but it wasn't feasible and I could afford to pay for tuition so I left the job and did uwi full time. Not only is working and paying for tuition a great idea for credit worthiness, you also have work experience when your degree is complete giving you an edge. Lots of these newbie degree holders entering the workplace thinking its a big lime.

Being in classes with folks that went this route, they're more mature also, and have a better understanding of what's to expect after graduation.

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Steups

Them chirren does hardly even use the laptops. I used to see them mostly playing game on it during break and lunch time. Some does be watching blues and all. The government just wasting money on it...now they coming to waste more on this stupid idea

but who wasting the money there? The Govt or the students?

If it was a free book and the student wasn't utilizing it properly then you'd say the student wasting it. What's different?

[shottah_crew]

Steups

Them chirren does hardly even use the laptops. I used to see them mostly playing game on it during break and lunch time. Some does be watching blues and all. The government just wasting money on it...now they coming to waste more on this stupid idea

but who wasting the money there? The Govt or the students?

If it was a free book and the student wasn't utilizing it properly then you'd say the student wasting it. What's different?

Governments gonna buy votes and some percentage of the people (children/students) never gonna fully utilize or appreciate the resources available to them.

This is Trinidad. Something new and exciting gonna happen later this week to have us enraged all over again and forget all about this.

[Daran]

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/education-27610828

Trinidad pioneers online 'knowledge network'
By Sean Coughlan
BBC News education correspondent
28 May 2014 Last updated at 17:46


Trinidad is going to have the first online learning network designed for an entire country
Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies is pioneering an ambitious online learning project.

Coursera, one of the biggest online university course providers, is forming a partnership with the government to provide a network of online learning materials across the Caribbean country.

Minister of Tertiary Education, Fazal Karim, said it would raise the skills needed for the country to compete.

Mr Karim said it would open up a "world of opportunity" for Trinidad.

Coursera is a major provider of so-called Moocs - massive open online courses - that offer online university courses free. The US-based company now has almost eight million students registered.

Help from mentors

But this project in Trinidad will be the first time that a Mooc system will have been designed for an entire country, described as a "national knowledge network".

And Lila Ibrahim, of Coursera, says that it could be a model for creating education networks in other countries.

In Trinidad, Coursera is working with the government and the University of Trinidad and Tobago to provide online courses, learning materials and television programmes.

There will be learning centres on the university campuses where students will be able to get help from mentors.

There will also be accreditation and college credits from the online courses.

It will be promoted by the knowledge.tt website, which will be a gateway to free online courses in areas such as business, technology, computer programming, entrepreneurship and music.

Mr Karim said it was a "very important step" for Trinidad, which is already on target to have 60% of young people participating in further and higher education by next year.

Improving skills

There is a one-laptop-per-child project at school level, which is using educational technology in the classroom.

But he said it was vital to use online learning to improve the vocational skills needed to make the economy competitive.

The message was that "you can learn as you earn and you can earn more learning", he said.

The challenge for countries such as Trinidad and Tobago was "how do we move from low skills and low wages to high skills and high wages?"

In the past there had been correspondence courses and then distance learning from the Open University, but now he said it was the era of the "internet campus".

Any geographical distance or isolation was removed by online learning, the minister said.

Ms Ibrahim said this was a "world-leading and unique" scheme - and that locating it in Trinidad was a reflection of the country's willingness to experiment with the idea of online learning.

"We wanted to work with groups who will the move the ball forward most quickly," she said.