The challenge is to make a basic digital education tool for classrooms in low-resource settings.
- Low cost – easily be justified due to the device being intended for underprivileged schools and people
- Rugged and Portable – But it also has to be rugged to withstand transport and handling – a requirement because many times the teachers also need to become the custodian of the equipment, carry it with them to various classrooms and probably different remote schools. If the equipment is given as a responsibility to the teacher as compared to a computer class room of an institution, there is more careful use and no curious student can nick away computer components (yes it happens in an innocent fashion). Here is one way I transport my first devices for demo purposes on my 2-wheeler.
- Large simultaneous viewership – It has to be a projector type because the alternative of LCD or LED screens for large viewership is prohibitively expensive and portability decreases significantly as size goes up.
- Full fledged computer – Eventually students will need to learn the modern tool of computers. A smartphone or similar communication device is no match for a full fledged computer in terms of possible programs, art work, programming, etc. The potential is huge when a computer is available to a classroom to explore.
- Opensource design – We have spent way too much time thinking about monopolistic business interests to be of social good. I am of the view that technology development and production should be decentralized for greater public good. Hence the availability of opensource and transparent documentation in this project.
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