Vocal Voices

The zero rating for educational sites was Mick's suggestion.

https://www.northern-scot.co.uk/news/na ... ren-10483/

Oh and the DoE are definitely lying, as they did turn down the free broadband vouchers last June

Absolutely well done to Mick, such a simple but workable idea. And well done to BT for buying in. The DfE are playing semantics as they well know that mobile data is not the same as free access to some WiFi hotspots.

Just about every child has a smartphone with data, even dinosaurs like me with my PAYG brick have data. Not everyone has a WiFi hotspot nearby.

Another thing. Most homes also have a TV with audio/video input. A smartphone can be hooked up using a cheap HDMI cable so that the pupil can view the website on a large screen reducing the possibility of eye strain.

Workingman wrote:Another thing. Most homes also have a TV with audio/video input. A smartphone can be hooked up using a cheap HDMI cable so that the pupil can view the website on a large screen reducing the possibility of eye strain.

Yes! That was a godsend for doing my Zoom Zumba classes!

Oh wow - well done Mick!!!

Kaz, your mention of Zoom got me thinking, and looking.

Many pupils do not have access to a computer AND / OR unlimited broadband, hence the various government schemes. However, with a few free apps (AndrOfice and FB messenger) and a wi-fi dongle if the TV is not enabled (mine is) they can use their phone a bit like a Raspberry supermicro computer for little more than a Mc D, and they get to use a proper keyboard.

The office gives them compatible word processing, spreadsheets and presentations and they can send work to teacher using FB messenger. I have just had a play with stuff hanging about in the flat and everything works - Samsung TV, Moto phone and wireless keyboard. It's like having another (slower) computer but for watching teacher presentations and doing homework it would be fine.

Well done Mick! I hope he gets some recognition Kaz.

The company said it would also zero-rate a number of educational websites used in home learning by the end of the month, meaning accessing these sites will not use any of a mobile data allowance.

Yes, excellent idea, and kudos to Mick for suggesting it.

Well done Mick. Really great idea.

As WM says, hotpots are absolutely not equivalent to mobile data and, in most cases today, not as good.

Thanks everyone

Crommers, they used to have a reward scheme for good ideas, he's benefitted from it in the past, but a lot of the perks have disappeared lately, so who knows

Frank if I understood the techie stuff in your post I'm sure I'd agree with you

Frank is just saying there are options to use the phone as a computer with the screen linked up to the TV.

Many TVs today support "casting from the phone but there are plug in dongles which give the same ability to" dumb" tv's for about £5.

He mentions office programs which are specifically designed for phones to allow kids to do their documents. Facebook (naturally they will have an account), to send the work in.

Because every phone that supports WiFi, today, supports Bluetooth, you can also get full size Bluetooth keyboards which have track pads, also for about five to ten pounds. Allowing the kids to work as if they were on a desktop computer.

It isn't fast, but, for about £10-£15, you can use your TV and phone for school work.

The challenge is data, if you don't have WiFi at home or if your home WiFi is limited.

Mick had a great idea and the BT offer for schoolkids makes it all viable.

For me, having a chuwi larkbox, or equivalent, would do the same but in a far more powerful way.

https://www.amazon.com/CHUWI-LarkBox-Sm ... B089QGYGP2

More powerful than the laptops they are pushing out, cheaper in volume and can tether the phone from the charging cable.

I know how good they are, I have one.