‘Smart Classroom’ unveiled at CEAP meeting
VIBAL Publishing House unveiled recently model “classrooms of the future” using tablet personal computers and e-textbooks in a specially designed e-learning environment.
Two Vibal Smart Classrooms—Vibal Samsung Smart Classroom and Vibal Apple Smart Classroom—were presented by the educational publisher as part of its campaign for digital education at the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) 2012 National Convention.
In partnership with Samsung and Apple, the Vibal Smart Classroom simulated a prototype of an e-learning environment that uses such tools as the iPad 2 and Galaxy Tablet 10.1, projectors and interactive e-textbooks. A 65-inch large format display (LFD) monitor was used by demonstration teachers at the Samsung room. A specially designed table with flexible configurations and a mobile server cart/charging station was used by demo teachers at the Apple room.
CEAP delegates were able to use the digital devices as they sat in the demo classes, as students.
Using the Samsung Android and Apple iPad devices, they were able to access the Vibe Reader, Vibal’s free e-book reader application that runs on both platforms. Its customizable features include world-class DRM (Digital Rights Management) security, highlighter and drawing tools in at least three colors, bookmark and text size adjustment, landscape and portrait orientation display, and support for ePub 3.0—the latest e-book format approved by the International Digital Publishing Forum.
The ePub 3.0 format makes it possible to embed audio and video clips in e-books and allows for true user interactivity. Participants answered self-scoring quizzes; played audio, video, and slide shows, and drew on the Vibal e-textbooks, among others.
The Vibal Smart Classroom was patterned after the Korea Ministry of Education’s US$2 billion Smart Schools Program for 63 schools. Launched in 2011, it is the world’s biggest education project.