Turkish government to purchase tablets for schools

Turkey has joined a growing list of nations looking to put tablet computers into the hands of its students, as the government has announced plans to purchase devices for nearly 40,000 schools around the country.

Turkish news provider Today's Zaman reports that the Ministry of Education will first distribute 12,000 tablet computers in 52 schools under the Movement to Increase Opportunities and Technology project. Teachers and students, primarily in high school, will receive the initial wave of devices for free.

Tablet computers can have a range of benefits in the classroom. For students, the devices provide a convenient resource for connecting to the internet and accessing digital material. Teachers can enjoy the easy portability of the tablet, using it to give demonstrations and capture the students' attention.

Today's Zaman also reports that the tablet PCs will include specially designed software to ensure students aren't downloading unapproved material.

The news comes shortly after the Thai government revealed its own plans to deliver one tablet per student throughout the country. Officials plan to purchase as many as 900,000 devices for schoolchildren in February as the initial phase of the project gets underway.