News Corp claims the device, which can be used by both teachers and students, will transform teaching and learning.

A new tablet for the classroom has been unveiled by News Corp as the battle to capture the education technology market heats up.

The Android product, from Rupert Murdoch's education group Amplify, was shown at the South by Southwest (SXSW) conference in Austin, Texas.

It has a 10-inch (25cm) screen, which is designed to allow teachers to monitor pupil progress, and customise lessons to students' needs and understanding.

Primary and secondary schoolchildren will be able to use content from apps such as Encyclopaedia Britannica and easily organise their homework.

The $299 (£199) tablet will be available for US markets from September.

"This is more than just a tablet. It's a complete learning solution organised around the school day," said Stephen Smyth, the president of Amplify's Access division.

"We believe it's both more affordable and more impactful than just about any other product in the education technology market."

But rivals said most of the new tablet's signature features already exist on web-based software platforms that can run on any device - iPads, Android tablets, smartphones or laptops.

"It is our aim to amplify the power of digital innovation to transform teaching and learning and to help schools deliver fundamentally better experiences and results," said Joel Klein, chief executive of Amplify.

"We want to transform the way teachers teach and students learn."

News Corp is moving ahead on a plan to create separate companies for the huge entertainment division and the struggling publishing business, which includes the education unit.

South by Southwest is an annual event made up of film, interactive and music festivals and conferences.

http://news.sky.com/story/1061071/news-corps-amplify-unveils-tablet-for-schools