Transcript raspberrypi_-_michigan_it_symposium_-_poster_
The Challenge
Common challenges to digital learning in developing countries include high technology costs, limited availability of technical resources or expertise, and an unpredictable infrastructure. A new set of low-cost technologies has the potential to lower barriers to the distribution of educational materials.
Objective
Our goal was to explore, deploy, and evaluate models for sharing digital learning materials at institutions with no or limited bandwidth, no or limited electricity, limited on-site support for technology, at an affordable cost.
Solution
We experimented with several models and selected the Raspberry Pi for its portability and easily customizable wireless area networks for accessing and sharing learning materials. These Raspberry Pi devices have been configured so that individuals within range can access the files on any WiFi enabled device with a web browser.
Results
Twenty-one devices are currently deployed in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Liberia. All devices contain existing Open Educational Resources (OER) and allows others to easily modify or add their own, locally authored content.
YOER Pi: A Portable WiFi Local Area Network Empowers Flexible Sharing of Medical Education Materials in Settings with Restricted Internet & Electricity
Raspbery Pi Model B
What if you could… ● Provide a local wireless network ● Provide content via web browser ● Provide content via file or app server ● Do this with or without the Internet ● Do it with or without an electrical outlet ● Buy all the supplies for ~$200
Raspberry Pi model B (motherboard) What’s Next? Banana Pi!
P © 2014 The Regents of the University of Michigan. This poster is based on a CC BY poster originally created for Med Ed Day that was authored by Kathleen Omollo, Bob Riddle, and Margaret Ann Murphy. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit
Follow Up
Raspberry Pi may be used for a low cost, low-maintenance method to share digital content locally in the absence of an Internet connection and electricity. A rechargeable USB battery can serve as a low-cost uninterruptible power supply. The Raspberry Pi offers many customization options, such as a full operating system that enables other services (e.g. search, analytics, stylesheets). In addition, software updates for the Raspberry Pi can be sent on a replacement SD card.
What’s Next?
A “super charged” version of Raspberry Pi, called “Banana Pi,” is now available. Banana Pi is an offshoot of the Raspberry Pi project using different components while maintaining compatibility as much as possible. Banana Pi features a: • One Gigahertz processor • One Gig of RAM • One Gig of storage • Gigabit Ethernet port More info: www.bananapi.org
Send feedback and ideas to:
[email protected]
More Information?
openmi.ch/wanoffline
Poster Authors