PUPILS at Ysgol Y Deri are amongst the first to get their hands on a new computer device that has been specifically designed for children.

A2Z Computing, based in Newport, has developed and launched its own hybrid PC called Fizzbook Duo which can be used as a tablet and a laptop for accelerated learning among young people.

Pupils, teachers and staff members of national charity Follow Your Dreams, had the chance to fully test the new device, assessing just how accessible Fizzbook Duo’s features were.

Az Ashraf, Director of A2Z Computing said: “The Fizzbook Duo was designed to fit in with children’s lifestyles. Young people have busy lives just as much as adults these days.

Whether it’s used at a classroom desk in laptop mode, or remotely in tablet mode; students have full access to quality education both in school and at home.”

A2Z Computing is in talks with council bodies, Special educational needs organisations as well as schools throughout Wales to deliver the Fizzbook Duo to children.

Alison Wilde, Learning Facilitator at Ysgol Y Deri also had a chance to test the hardware.

She said: “I’ve never seen the children so engrossed and quiet on a Thursday morning - they really enjoyed testing the computers.

I think the fizzbook is going to be really beneficial, especially for the younger smaller children.

The laptops we have at the moment are quite big, where-as this is more of a size for the primary school children.

The lower case letters were particularly useful, as they are the same font that we use to teach the children, for example the lower case ‘a’ is a rounder ‘a’, and that continuity makes a difference.”

The Fizzbook Duo is the culmination of nearly six years of work, with initial plans drawn up in 2009. Numerous prototypes have been developed and tested, with the Fizzbook Duo boasting a 10.1 inch screen and a lower-case keyboard to appeal to younger users.

Liz Whitaker is the Workshops manager for charity Follow Your Dreams, who regularly work with Special and Additional Educational Needs children, and said: “I think the stylus feature particularly helps pupils who may otherwise struggle with typing, as they can use the stylus to type on screen. The fact that you can detach the screen is also a big advantage, one child in particular who has specific additional needs, used the tablet almost as a notepad, and that helped him communicate better in class.”