True, this is something of an experiment and may not be the optimal way to educate. At least, not yet. But Xoom tablets are $200 today and the price for tablets continues to fall. In a year or so, there will be e-readers on the market for $20 and many decent tablets will be available for $60 and less. The market is glutted with last-generation tablets and phablets. Something of this nature could provide a second life for these tablets. Xooms in particular are extremely durable and could service children for years.
I would also keep in mind that the development community is probably biased toward hiring new teachers. Again, this just sounds like an experiment.
> In a year or so, there will be e-readers on the market for $20 and many decent tablets will be available for $60 and less.
In volume (lots of 100,500,1000) this is already the case.
You can find sellers dumping lots of 1000 of "outdated" tablets (mostly Android 2.2) for $5-$10 a piece.
For smaller lots of more current generation: A Freescale IMX6Q quad core based 10.1" tablet with Android Jelly Bean (4.1), 1024x600 capacitive screen, 1GB RAM, 8GB flash: $32.50 a piece in lots of 200....
Current generation reasonable spec'ed 7" tablets ordered from China in lots of 1 start around $40-$50, with free shipping to large parts of the world...
I would also keep in mind that the development community is probably biased toward hiring new teachers. Again, this just sounds like an experiment.