Microsoft launches Windows tablets for higher education

The venture in the higher education space aims to offer students a single device for all their educational needs.

This is Microsoft’s second such initiative, the first being educational bundles for school students.

The tablet solution offers students preloaded syllabus compliant educational material from Pearson that ensures effective learning with homework, tutorial and assessment support, along with e-books.

The educational bundle comprises the new HP Omni10 tablet preloaded with first semester Pearson study material as well as a whole slew of Microsoft offerings.

Available for all technical and management institutes the bundle is being offered currently at an EMI plan of Rs. 2,990 per month for 12 months (taxes additional). This special limited time ‘Institute Offer’ is valid till June 15.

The Microsoft offerings include a preloaded set of 10 e-books on developer tools, access to various Microsoft developer tools and servers through the DreamSpark student site, single sign-on student mail IDs as well as a 50 GB mail box and 25 GB OneDrivePro.

The bundle also includes a Microsoft Certification MTA voucher for students to walk in to any Certi-Port authorized center and take the Microsoft Certification Exam.

Arun Rajamani, Head - Public Sector & Education, Microsoft India, said, “The launch of these customized tablets is a part of our continuous efforts to make education more inclusive through technology. We believe that this is a game changing devices and services approach toward the Indian education sector that will make learning more interactive and immersive.”

“This device packs in the best of HP, Pearson and our offerings, and has been specifically designed to provide students with an engaging learning experience. What truly differentiates these tablets is the experience that spans creation and consumption, making it an ideal device for students,” he added.

The HP Omni10 is the first 10.1 inch Windows 8.1 tablet with multi touch HD(1) display that runs on the latest Intel Quad Core processor(1) and has a micro USB port as well as a HDMI display port.

Engineered to assist students with their hectic work schedules, this tablet provides powerful performance for multitasking, making presentations, playing games and music. A carry cover for the HP Omni10 tablet will also be provided in the offer.

Ketan Patel, Director Consumer Category, HP PPS India, said, “Tablets have emerged as an apt platform to deliver learning tools and educational content to both educators and students alike. We are confident the HP Omni 10, complete with pre-installed educational content, will help drive meaningful learning outcomes and give students access to a more appealing learning experience.”

The tablet offers Pearson’s e-learning content including theory papers of first semester engineering and MBA courses.

Pearson self-learning course module will provide multimedia content for first semester engineering students and student guides/notes, flash cards, and video case studies for first semester MBA students.

The interactive content enables teachers to simplify concepts and helps students understand and retain the concepts better. These tablets will be available for sale to institutions who are keen on upgrading their students to the latest offering.

Anish Srikrishna, Business Head & Vice President, Higher education and Test preparation, Pearson India, said “At Pearson, we have committed ourselves to measuring and improving the efficacy of our products and services and constantly improving lives through learning.  In this quest for efficacy, technology plays a very important role: in both allowing us to personalize instruction for the learners as well as to create adequate evidence for what works best.”

“We believe this collaboration brings to Indian students the best of educational content and technological capabilities rolled into a single solution and will help enhance their understanding of some of the most difficult concepts in technical higher education," he added.