TabPilot Intros Secure Browser For Android Tablets
TabPilot Learning Systems has introduced a new secure Web browser for Android tablets that allows teachers to select the sites students are allows to access. The company is demonstrating the new browser tool at this week's ISTE 2013 conference in San Antonio, TX.
TabPilot FocalPoint comes with a TabPilot Control Tower, a cloud-based control panel that teachers use to identify the Web sites students can visit. The choice is sent wirelessly to the selected device or devices. When users launch the browser, the site opens without the address bar, which prevents students from browsing the Internet. The purpose of the controlled browser is to create an "environment for online standardized tests and practice test sites, as well as any situation where the teacher wants to turn a specific website into a dedicated learning activity," according to a company statement.
"As more schools integrate tablets for instructional and testing purposes, teachers and administrators need to ensure the devices are contributing to a productive learning atmosphere," said Jarrett Volzer, president of TabPilot. "We created TabPilot FocalPoint to help educators keep their students engaged with learning the lesson at hand."
TabPilot FocalPoint is available as an add-on for schools using the full TabPilot Tablet Manager system. Schools not using the TabPilot's system can purchase a stand-alone subscription.
The browser tool, available as a free app from either the Google Play store or from TabPilot, requires a subscription to TabPilot Control Tower. Annual subscriptions start at $3 per device for schools using the full Tablet Manager system or $6 per device for stand-alone subscriptions.
For more information, visit the company's Web site or booth 5285 at ISTE 2013.
About the Author
Kanoe Namahoe is online editor for 1105 Media's Education Group. She can be reached at [email protected].