Bridging the Digital Divide in Argentina’s Public School with the Samsung Netbook PCs for Education Samsung recommends Windows 8 ® . Developing a Bridge to Digital Equality The Conectar Igualdad program is one of the largest one-to-one educational computing programs in the world. “Our public schools are managed by the provincial states and attended by a sector of the population with lesser means,” explains Mr. Cristian Jensen, Program Manager for Conectar Igualdad. “The program was designed to provide these students with digital equality so that they would have the same opportunities as students with more financial resources.” The program’s success would largely depend on selecting a netbook design that would meet the educational needs of the students as well as the security and budgetary needs of the Government. “We recommend other educational institutions consider Samsung for their educational computing initiatives.” – Cristian Jensen, Program Manager Conectar Igualdad NOTEBOOK CASE STUDY
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Bridging the Digital Divide in Argentina’s Public Schoolwith the Samsung Netbook PCs for Education
Samsung recommends Windows 8®.
Developing a Bridge to Digital Equality
The Conectar Igualdad program is one of the largest one-to-one educational computing programs in the world. “Our public schools are managed by the provincial states and attended by a sector of the population with lesser means,” explains Mr. Cristian Jensen, Program Manager for Conectar Igualdad. “The program was designed to provide these students with digital equality so that they would have the same opportunities as students with more fi nancial resources.” The program’s success would largely depend on selecting a netbook design that would meet the educational needs of the students as well as the security and budgetary needs of the Government.
“We recommend other educational institutions consider Samsung for their educational computing initiatives.”
– Cristian Jensen, Program Manager Conectar Igualdad
NOTEBOOK CASE STUDY
The Government organized a multi-department committee to develop rigorous netbook selection criteria, including
• Performance: Students would be using the netbooks for a variety of learning applications, so the netbook needed dual OS/boot capability (Linux and Windows®), robust processing speed, and rich multi-media experience.
• Durability: The netbooks would be highly mobile – whether at the school, in the home or in the community. They had to be engineered and built to handle the “wear and tear” at the hands of young and active students.
• Security: In order to minimize data loss and deter physical theft, the netbooks would need hardware and software security features.
• Affordability: Acquiring and supporting so many netbooks is a signifi cant investment of public funds. The netbooks would need to deliver a low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) over many years of use.
“When we began to design the technological solution, we conceived of a portable computer that wasn’t just a toy, but had the processing capacity, security, and stability that we would need,” says Mr. Jensen.
After a thorough review of netbook suppliers and models, Samsung and its Argentine partner Air-Computers were selected as key suppliers to the Conectar Igualdad program.
He continues, “With Samsung, when we visited their central offi ce, we learned that they had a dedicated team of engineers working specifi cally on our requirements, and their quality, technological response, and support was highly satisfactory,” says Mr. Jensen.
Samsung Netbooks – The Ideal Choice for Students and Educators
The Samsung education netbook is specially designed to meet the demanding needs of students:
• Powered to Perform: Students would be using the netbooks for a variety of learning applications, so the netbook needed dual OS/boot capability (Linux and Windows®), robust processing speed, and rich multi-media experience.
• Durability by Design: Designed with active students in mind, the netbook can withstand a 70 mm drop and resist liquid spills on the keyboard (up to 200cc).
• Ergonomic for Students: At just 1.33 kg (2.9 lbs.), the Samsung education netbook provides maximum portability and stowage in backpacks. It also has a retractable, easy-to-carry handle so it can be carried like a briefcase.
• Secure and Safe: Includes Trusted Platform Module (TPM) security for data security.
• Low Cost of Ownership: The netbook is built with high-quality components and engineered for reliable and hassle-free performance.
Given these benefi ts and features, it is not surprising that the Samsung netbooks have become the most popular choice for students and teachers.
Developing a Bridge to Digital EqualitySamsung recommends Windows 8®.
The Learning Hub
The Samsung netbooks have become the central hub for student learning. “With the Samsung netbook, I can access the Internet anytime, write faster, study in less time, and carry it anywhere and use it for a long time without recharging,” explains a student at the Carlos Pellegrini Commerce High School in Buenos Aires.
“The computer becomes a central part of a student’s digital life – it is used in the school and taken home so that the family, neighbours, and friends can also use it to connect, learn, and share,” says Mr. Marcelo Aloy, Senior Manager at Air-Computers. “When the students graduate, the netbooks become their property. If they go to college, they will go with a computer; if they go into work, they go with the appropriate technology.”
Modernizing the Teaching Model
Another major objective of Conectar Igualdad is to transform the teaching model through a connected classroom. Teachers receive training in computer skills and teaching methodology so that they can integrate the Samsung netbooks in their daily lessons.
“Samsung netbooks have enabled students to participate in learning projects that emphasize problem solving, joint work, and other skill-building exercises,” explains Mr. Jensen.
Conectar Igualdad also provides netbooks to graduate students at teacher training colleges and school administrators. This holistic approach ensures that the entire education system is on a common teaching platform.
Connecting Communities
The Conectar Igualdad program has strengthened community ties while also extending technological opportunities beyond the students. “Every time we distribute netbooks at a high school, we have a big celebration,” says Mr. Jensen. “The netbook becomes the entry point for the family, neighbours, and friends into the digital world.”
“Samsung and Air-Computers efforts have given the Conectar Igualdad program very positive and favourable results,” says Mr. Jensen. “Our team has seen Samsung’s R&D facilities, manufacturing processes, and quality control systems, and we are totally satisfied with the netbooks. We recommend other educational institutions consider Samsung for their educational computing initiatives.”
Modernizing the Teaching Model and Connecting Communities
About the Client
The Government of Argentina has embarked on the massive Conectar Igualdad (Equal Connectivity) program to provide three million netbook computers to every student, teacher, and administrator in the country’s public high schools and teaching colleges. By investing in a dedicated netbook for every student, the Government can prepare its young citizens for the information and communications based economy. The program also enables new teaching models that focus on creativity, problem solving, and team work.
Overview
Challenge Provide robust, durable, and secure netbooks to students and teachers in order to prepare the next generation for the information-based economy.
Solution Samsung education netbooks with hardware and software solutions specially designed for educational computing.
Impact Samsung netbooks embraced by students and teachers for their quality, durability, and performance.
“Watching the students open the computer box for the first time – with their parents and community around them – is an amazing experience. They know this is their future.”
– Marcelo Aloy, Air Computers (Samsung partner)
About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunications, digital media and digital convergence technologies, with a 2011 consolidated sales revenues of US$143.1 billion. Employing approximately 222,000 people in 205 offices across 71 countries, Samsung Electronics operates two separate organizations to coordinate its nine independent business units: Digital Media & Communications, comprising Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, and Digital Imaging business; and Device Solutions, comprising Memory, System LSI, and LCD businesses. Recognized for its industry-leading performance across a range of economic, environmental and social criteria, Samsung Electronics was named the world’s most sustainable technology company in the 2011 Dow Jones Sustainability Index.
For more information
To learn more about how Samsung notebooks and Slate PCs can help your educational institution take learning and teaching to the next level, visit: www.samsung.com.
Legal and Additional Information
This case study is for informational purposes only. Samsung makes no warranties, expressed or implied, in this case study.
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