e-Learning Approach for Developing Countries - A Brief
A Sustainable Approach to Digital Literacy using Open Source Applications for schools and SMEs
Mission
To increase the computer literacy and competencies of children and small-medium enterprises (SME) in developing countries. We want to teach children in as many schools as possible to learn how to use the computer, within their respective country's technological limitations, so that they can actively participate in the fourth revolution. This would also apply to small businesses so that they can improve their operation and marketing skills in addition to opportunities for involvement in the global business network.
Vision
Enable developing countries to catch up and take part in the fourth revolution (transformation of the third digital revolution) as a connected, global stakeholder
Introduction
We are in the midst of a fast charging digital revolution some consider it a part of the third industrial revolution, but others the start of the fourth. The first industrial revolution was the development of steam power to mechanize production. The second was the use of electricity to create mass production and the third was the digital revolution with the introduction of computers, the internet and the world wide web.
When compared with previous industrial revolutions, the fourth is evolving at an exponential rather than linear pace. Moreover it is disrupting almost every industry in every country affecting the transformation of entire systems of production, management, and governance. The possibilities of billions of people connected by mobile devices, with unprecedented processing power, storage capacity, and access to knowledge, are unlimited.
It is clear that developing countries are in danger of missing out in the fourth industrial revolution. They are barely starting to participate in the third revolution. Our goal is to develop a 'sustainable' approach to help them catch up to the rest of the world. Before they can be digitally literate we must take a step back and help them become computer literate.
We cannot possibly expect funding for computer hardware and ICT training and support when their need for food, shelter and health are barely being met. Consequently we are focusing on existing legacy hardware (which are available in country) that can no longer service the latest Windows operating systems and on new low cost affordable computers such as the Raspberry Pi 4.
We have been successful in replacing old obsolete Windows operating systems like XP with more current and up to date Linux operating systems. We have trained a local NGO in Cameroon to use Linux (Ubuntu) and open source applications on the system to meet their day-to-day office automation and surveillance needs.
The Linux community continues to evolve and improve its operating systems and applications for its users. We can point to a Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) eGovernance project in the Phillipines that has supported over 200 Local Government Units (municipalities) with Linux open source MIS application on taxation, business permits and licensing. That project trained LGU technical staff on application development, maintenance and software support. This project was a successful application of training of trainer (ToT) model for sustainability.
Through the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) funded MERIT and SESMIM project a knowledge portal was developed to disseminate information related to the project to all interested parties on-line in Mongolia. Open source tools was evaluated to create on-line eLearning material on an as needed basis. This included conversion of technical slide presentations by subject matter experts to video tutorials and the translation of audio to the local Mongolian language for the users.
So what are we trying to do?
We want to teach children in as many schools as possible to learn how to use the computer so that they can participate in the fourth revolution. This would also apply to small business enterprises so that they can improve their operation and marketing skills.
Isn't it expensive to buy computer hardware and software licenses?
We want to minimize the cost for hardware and software by taking advantage of the used and obsolete Windows PC desktops that these countries have imported from developed countries. We can refurbish and make the old legacy Windows desktops productive again by upgrading them with newer Linux operating systems.
We can replace their unlicensed commercial off the shelf (COTS) applications with free open source software like LibreOffice which includes word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, publishing and database applications that are comparable to the Microsoft Office suite. Effectively we can replace all commercial day-to-day applications with free open source alternatives.
Don't we need the internet to make it work?
To be fully digitally literate we will need to access the internet, however our plan is to teach new users to be computer literate without the internet because of their limited telecom infrastructure. We can do that by installing all the core applications on the local hardware that will be used. In addition all material that will be needed will be available to the user off-line with external hard disk drives.
How will we implement this project?
First we will assemble the free and open source application tools and prepare the basic on-line tutorials that will be used (see mind map below). This will be tested and refined.
Second we will seek partners that will help us to launch and implement the project. We are looking for international NGOs we can collaborate with who have projects in the countries of interest that will have in country staff that can provide local support downstream to make the project sustainable.
Case Studies for the Project
The following contains a brief description of the approach we will be taking to make this implementation more sustainable.
Training of Trainers Model
The training of trainers (ToT) model has been applied successfully in various flavours on a number of our projects. This model will be a part of the sustainability approach to our delivery of computer literacy to the users.
We have used the ToT model on the Sino-Canadian Bio-Diversity Protection and Community Development Project in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China. On that project the local partner was the Ministry of Natural Resources and we trained their specialists and selected users from their Nature Reserves to be trainers. Slide presentation material was localized for the trainers to use. The trainers were trained through sequential translations after which the trainers trained other users in their native language.
The ToT model was also applied to the eGovernance for Municipal Development partnership program with the League of Municipalities in the Philippines. Technical staff from the municipalities were trained by the Canadian specialists where potential trainers were identified. These trainers were provided with training material for new users. This project started with 30 Local Government Units (municipalities) and have grown to over 200 LGUs across the archipelago. A key reason for success was the creation of a eGovernance users group, of all the participating LGUs, which coordinated the the local trainers and users.
Currently the ToT model is being implemented with the Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO) in Tanzania. Staff are being trained on database development at SIDO HQ who are responsible for the 26 regional offices. Regional Officers are being trained to implement the MIS system and work with their SME clients.
Hardware Equipment
Obviously we will need computers to build computer and digital literacy. We recognize that it will be financially unsustainable if we had to purchase new hardware for every user we train. Consequently a different approach is needed.
Our first experience with the local situation in Africa was a project with the Kumbo Urban Council in Cameroon to assist them with the development of an MIS project. The mayor wanted an automated civil registry database. This was developed for them, but the implementation was a problem. First the registrar had no computer, second the computers in their office were old used Windows desktop computers sold in bulk to Cameroon from France. These computers were designed to run using the older Windows operating systems. Locals would upgrade to the latest unlicensed Windows software which bogged down their computers because it required better hardware.
The situation in Kumbo is similar in many developing countries which are sold old used computers which are being replaced by new and better ones in the developed countries. Users try to install and use the latest operating systems and applications on equipment that are not designed to handle them. In addition many of the unlicensed pirated software that are installed contain malware and virus bugs which degrades the systems even more.
Our solution is to make use of the used legacy equipment that has been sold to developing countries, however we will extend their life cycle by installing newer current Linux operating systems. Linux is more efficient than the latest Windows OS which require newer CPUs and more memory than the legacy PCs have. Linux OS is able to run on older CPUs and require less memory to operate, consequently it can extend the life of legacy hardware in those countries.
When I was working on my project in Guyana I realized that countries like Japan shipped their old cars (environmentally bad for Japan) to countries like Guyana and other parts of the developing world like African countries and Mongolia. I found that the same thing happened with old computers. In Cameroon they received box cars of old computers from France (they used the French keyboard). I think this trade will continue for a while. I have proposed Raspberry Pi as an alternative if used hardware is not available so there will always be a source of less expensive hardware for the users.
Software Applications
Since the private sector is very good with marketing, users in developing countries will try to install the latest Windows operating system on their old legacy PCs, however these would be unlicensed copies. In many cases the software will not be able to be installed. Where they are, the PCs will operate very sluggishly because of inadequate CPUs and memory. In addition pirated software often contain malware and virus which degrades their system further.
We experienced this first hand on our project to help Independent Development Foundation (IDF), a local CSO in Bamenda, Cameroon with their social mapping, database and web design project. Our first attempt at training local staff failed because the free Windows application package we prepared for them could not completely be installed on their Windows PCs because they were using pirated Windows operating system with inconsistent upgrades and malware. We were able to install some on some of the PCs but not all.
Because of our success with Linux in the Philippines we decided to try and see if Linux could be a solution. A private Canadian company donated a number of their old laptops for the CSO. We installed Ubuntu Linux on them. We were able to find open source mapping software that they needed together with LibreOffice and other productivity application software. We were able to put all this on an install DVD. The resulting training was a complete success.
During the training we used a screen recorder to capture the training sessions. The mp4 training videos were handed out to the participants to review at their workstations or home before the next training session. The entire training was captured on video to be used as tutorials in the future. This approach allowed slower trainers to catch up on their own time and provide the client with a digital tutorial library to train future users.
The IDF Bamenda assignment proved to us that Linux open source software was capable of replacing Microsoft Windows and other COTS applications and provide a solution for older legacy hardware with productive office automation tools and applications that can be used in developing countries.
The "Open Source" applications are supported by the "community" which is global and connected via the internet. In essence any user is part of the community. For major applications there is usually a core group, mostly foundations or universities, that work on the software. For something like Ubuntu Linux it may be a company but their revenue is not only from sales of the applications, but by larger clients who pay them for services such as customization and maintenance of the product. For smaller applications they may be developed by a single expert who is using it and makes it available as open source to others. In addition all open source applications may be supported by other users, who volunteer to work on parts of it.
So if the application is good, and is used, it will continue to improve and flourish. In addition the core concept of open source is the software code is available to anyone to download and use, modify and improve. So if the authors don't want to support it anymore the last version is available for the users to download and use as long as it works for them. So contrast open source to COTS (Commercial off the Shelf) software like Microsoft Office which has evolved from one time license to annual. If they decide to kill their product their code is proprietary and you are out of luck.
Linux is an operating system like Windows. It is a derivative of UNIX which was one of the first and best operating systems developed for mini computers. It was ported to PCs by Linus Thorvald who has made it available to anyone under open source licensing. Even the new Apple operating system is a derivative of a proprietary version of Linux. Linux is much more stable than Windows and is more resistant to viruses and malware. It has not penetrated the global user base because there is no commercial marketing and sales group pushing it. It is better and free but it takes word of mouth and effort from the community to new users to get and use it. Naturally the commercial competition will try hard to downplay the benefits of free alternatives.
Internet and the World Wide Web
As part of the fourth revolution the world is experiencing an explosion in digital content.
"By 2025, IDC estimates that the amount of data stored worldwide will explode to 175 zettabytes (that’s 175 billion terabytes). This represents a compound annual growth rate of 61%, which is such a frenetic pace that it is forcing organisations to rethink how they store the data they generate."
Much of this data is available to users on-line in developing countries, however most of this data is out of reach to users in developing countries.
In Kumbo, with a population of 150,000 (2009) there were only two locations where one could access the internet. One was an internet cafe and the other was the local hospital. Both had limited connectivity since they were accessing the internet via satellite. In Bamenda (2012) internet was available from the local mobile provider and the Baptist Convention Centre. Connectivity was better, but still only by satellite. We were only able to download a Windows patch overnight. This lack of bandwidth made it impossible to download and fix all the software issues on the IDF Windows PCs during the month scheduled for the assignment.
In Tanzania (2019) internet is available through their mobile operators like Vodacom. Today their mobile internet averages 14 and 8 Mbps (Speedtest.net) for download and upload respectively (rank 125th) compared to Canada at 94 and 15 Mbps respectively (rank 9th). This means that it will take someone in Tanzania 7 hours to download the same files that someone in Canada could complete in 1 hour. The download rates decrease significantly as you move from the large cities to the regions. In addition to speed reliability the cost for internet is also an issue in those countries.
What this means is that access to on-line data which we take for granted is not available to most in developing countries. For example, because of Covid-19 we are meeting on-line via Zoom or some other video conference application. Well it is just not possible to video conference with someone in the regional office in Tanzania because the bandwidth is insufficient. Consequently we need to find an alternative way to deliver on-line courses to our users.
Knowledge Portal - On-line Library
Our goal is to provide all the soft tools like operating systems and productivity applications to be accessible on-line through a web based knowledge portal.
This was implemented as part of the GAC funded MERIT and SESMIM bi-lateral projects in Mongolia. Three bi-lingual portals were created one each for MERIT and SESMIM to make their training material, spreadsheets, reports, tutorial videos, etc. available to everyone via the portal website. In addition the Institute of Geography and Geoecology, a MERIT partner participated as well.
Our project will create a similar knowledge portal digital repository which will be available to everyone on-line.
An alternative to real time on-line website is to bundle the digital knowledge base on an external hard drive and copy relevant course material onto a USB drive for local circulation. The design approach can be the same as one would take for a knowledge portal.
Target Partners - International and Local NGOs
For this project we are seeking to partner with other international NGOs like the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) and Engineers Without Borders (EWB) to name a few. The goal is to piggy-back on their in country presence and projects to expand our reach and sustainability. We have already worked with CESO in Cameroon, Philippines and Tanzania which were referenced in this document. International NGOs have projects around the world that could be potential targets to cooperate with.
In addition there may be potential to partner with local NGOs who have "boots on the ground" and can support local clients like schools and SMEs. They would also be a source for ToT trainers who can support and train the clients and other trainers.
Target Clients - Schools and SMEs
We are focusing on schools because their students are the future of their country. In addition interested teachers are great candidates for us to train, and schools will definitely result in a sustainable outcome.
For small businesses the target client in the private sector may be a little more difficult to identify and help. One source could be government agencies like SIDO, others may need assistance from the local chamber of commerce or its equivalent. Certainly it may be possible to link local chambers with participating schools, but that would vary from place to place.
Sustainability
In our experience we have come across many well intentioned capacity building projects funded by governments and foundations that are not sustainable. They are not sustainable because they cannot be replicated without significant funding support and in some cases, the project dies when project funding ends. In researching information for this project we have come across examples that we can use for discussion.
In researching digital literacy in Africa we came across this link:
It is a blog article about the Jifundishe Library and Computer Lab in a village in the outskirts of Arusha, Tanzania. It is a fantastic library with a computer lab with 25 computers with IT staff to provide introductory classes. It claims to be the only computer lab of it's kind in Tanzania.
Sadly the claim is absolutely true. There is nothing like it elsewhere in Tanzania and it is unlikely that there would be another $800,000 to build and stock such a facility there again. The library has a better collection of books and facility than the public library in the city of Arusha.
Sadly as well intentioned as Jifundishe is, in our opinion it is not an example of success, because it is not sustainable. If we had $800,000 we would be able to purchase 5,000 Raspberry Pi 4s with monitors to distribute across Tanzania, or refurbish a similar amount of old legacy PCs that students could use. We would piggy-back with NGOs to provide training to teachers through the ToT model. For content we would develop some and add, for example, content from the Khan Academy for off-line distribution if possible. We can also initiate discussions with ShuleDirect for their localized educational content for K-12 in Tanzania.
GWN Technologies is seeking partners that can help with in country support directly or through complementary projects to identify potential local partners and trainers that would benefit from this project. GWN will provide the initial hardware needed (for a pilot project of up to 20 schools) and assemble and develop the open source software kit that will be used together with the on-line training material. We are looking for a number of seed assignments that would help us prove concept after which we would seek financial support to scale up to the entire country and use it as a template for other developing countries. We are happy to share our project model and outputs with others via the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0).
GWN Technologies International
2020.01.04
References
Mind Map of Project Design
Interesting project targetted to advanced developing countries that could afford to buy DELL equipment. Good idea but not targetted to less advanced developing countries we are trying to reach.
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