By national standards, the MESHI program is very innovative, meaning that we need to learn as we go, while the program progresses and experience is gathered. As the program continues, we encounter challenges which are being dealt with in various ways.
Health aspects
The weight of school bags
- The laptops purchased this year (DELL 3300) are considerably lighter than previous models, weighing only 1.93 kg. The "classroom library" project, in which copies of textbooks are kept in classrooms to be used by students, will be expanded this year to include four titles per class in each classroom.
- Purchasing online environments and expanding digital teaching aids: this year, the online experience will include Et Hadaat for fifth graders, to examine integrating its content into the curriculum. This is in addition to the continued use of Ofek and LNET.
- Purchasing online literature as it is offered, in accordance with curriculum needs, and expanding Kotar (online textbooks).
- Reducing the number of schooldays per week on which laptops are used to 3-4 days.
- Taking weight into consideration when preparing the school timetable.
Radiation
- Annual radiation tests are conducted, and any findings dealt with as necessary.
- Education and information, changes in habits, responsible citizenship.
Ergonomics
- A weekly lesson on the subject taught by the physical education teacher.
- The teaching – learning sequences – controlled during the day as far as computers and subjects are concerned.
- Ensuring recreational breaks outside the classroom.
- Computer size, screen size adapted to requirements for school students.
- Training teaching-staff.
Eyesight [medical opinions can be found online]
- Screen size.
- Teaching sequence.
Economic aspects
Hardware, infrastructure and other issues
Cost of the laptop – the cost is the same as last year, and parents are required to pay NIS 2,400 in equal monthly payments of NIS 100 over a two-year period. The model is the most advanced, including a number of technological improvements: 3 GB memory, 320 GB Hard Drive, Intel Core i5 processor and additional improved features.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to reduce the cost of computers without compromising the most significant features: the weight of the laptop, its resistance to intensive use, length of the manufacturer's warranty (5 years) and response to needs of the student regarding both learning and leisure.
Opening up the possibility of using a number of models in the classroom – following requests from parents, and especially in exceptional circumstances, students will be allowed to participate in the MESHI program even if their laptops have not been purchased through the municipal scheme. This year we will also examine the consequences and implications of this option.
Extension of the manufacturer's warranty – for computers purchased in the 2010-2011 school year, the manufacturer's warranty lasts five whole years.
Improved customer service – the process of treating faults has been upgraded. A software program to treat problems will be introduced so that the average length of time between the fault and its repair will be significantly reduced. Next year, we will invest efforts in order for parents to follow reading status online.
Upgrading software and operating systems – the computers purchased in 2010-2011 have Microsoft's most advanced programs and operations systems (Windows 7 and Office 2007).
Reducing the cost of repairs – following requests from parents, efforts have been made to reduce the cost of repairs, in cases where the problem is not the result of reasonable use, and in fact the repair costs for DELL laptops are now about 50% lower than in previous years.
Educational aspects
Classroom management
Information, awareness, an opportunity to hear about problems and influence intelligent choices at an early age.
Personal autonomy in time-management and responsibility for learning.
Monitoring reports and evaluation of learning in work environments.
Managing boundaries at home
An opportunity to get to know the world of children at an age when their reference group still consists of adults [parents, teachers...].
Information, educating about boundaries and rules [should parents evade the issue or address it?].
Pedagogical aspects
Reading and writing
Learning is varied and is carried out traditionally and innovatively.
The process of writing rough drafts and rewriting is easier on a computer, improving the learning experience.
Ability to implement computerized information management effectively.
Importance of educating for visual literacy.
Children with special needs
Maximum diversity and compatibility.
Organizing learning, structure and order in all subject matters and learning processes.
The pedagogical domain
The Center for Educational Technology will continue to help lead the MESHI program, to develop skills for the 21st century. This year, trials to review non-standard learning structures are planned, as well as instruction from and to the outside.
The Ministry of Education is a leading partner in evaluating and upgrading the MESHI program and in adapting it as a national online teaching program.