Learning via tablet without internet access

Portable Offline Servers – “Datacups” and “Tablets”

Context:

More than 70 percent of Nigerians work in agriculture. Especially in times of climate change, it is important for them that agricultural knowledge and techniques are preserved and passed on. Rural exodus is also a major reason why important knowledge can be lost. To counteract the loss, knowledge is collected in the Duddal digital library and made available online. However, as only one in 20 Nigeriens has access to the internet, the Digital Transformation Center Niger has worked on a solution to give all interested parties access to knowledge, whether online or offline.

Solution:

Together with its partners from politics, development cooperation and the private sector, the Digital Transformation Center (DTC) Niger has developed robust and portable data servers and tablets. In addition to an offline version of the digital learning platform atingi, an offline version of the online library Duddal is also available on these autonomous mini servers, known as Datacups. This means that farmers without internet access can also access the valuable knowledge.

Based on Raspberry PI technology, the software and content provided can be used flexibly for learning and advisory services even under extreme conditions such as heat, sandstorms, heavy rain or when there is no power or internet supply. The aim is not to procure a ready-made standard solution, but to ensure an individual configuration with easily accessible components such as a power supply via external motorcycle batteries. To achieve local added value, capacities have been built up in the country to ensure that the hardware and software are assembled and maintained by local workers. The devices are set up at key hubs in public facilities or used during on-site consultations and share content via a Wi-Fi interface.

Recommendation for implementation:

• Assessment: Local needs and stakeholder analysis, for example with help of external advice
• Concept: Conceptual design together with partners
• Test: Prototyping and piloting with target groups
• Procurement: Terms of Reference and public tender
• Operation: Roll out and maintenance