E-Learner Platform 2.0

Technology for Personal Development

Overview

E-Learner Platform 2.0 is about leveraging existing open source software and Web 2.0 technology to help children

from economically disadvantaged backgrounds learn about the incredible learning tools that are available free and

accessible for public usage at low cost.

Uniqueness E-learner Platform 2.0

• Motivationo Insufficient resources to build computing programso Vocational skills and quick fixes

• Goalso Holistic education: Personal Development + Vocational

Trainingo Use of open source and web 2.0 technologyo A curriculum:

Active Self-reliant Creative Critical thinking Sharing/Collaborating/ Living/ Working

Background

Who we are

• Hung Nguyen - senior student at Foreign Trade University, majoring in International business

• Matteus Pan - University of Pennsylvania, Computer Science and Finance

• Paola Di Maio - Information systems and learning specialist working as lecturer and researcher for a university in Thailand

• John Tim Denny - advisor of the International Development, Education  and ICT and Executive Director of the PC4peace 

Lab Scenario 1: OLPC• Pros

o Educational: actively engaged in a process of learning through doing, learn by teaching, actively assisting other learners

o Technical: writing, composing, simulating, expressing, constructing, designing, modeling, imagining, creating, critiquing, etc.

o A profound level of freedom and a gateway to other forms of technology; matching emphasis and goals of the OLPC and E-Learner Platform 2.0

o Ownership • Cons

o Priceo Age range (performance limitation of XO's for more

advanced learners)

Lab Scenario 2: Low-cost PC    

1 1 1

http://www.norhtec.com

Analysis of Lab Scenario 2

Pros:• More computing power, less costs• More 'realistic' computing environment than Sugar

Cons:• Less child ownership (possibly less motivation for the

students given importance of the concept of ownership in educational development)

Overarching Idea of Pilot Projects

• To bring together a learning program (curriculum) and resources for children at their respective academic levels, focusing initially on literacy and key skills, primarily with a project-based learning focus

• To train teachers and internal staff for the running of the programme/curriculum

• To build an Open Platform and network to gather technologists, teachers, volunteers, partner organizations and those interested in Vietnamese educational development

Pilot Project: Bình Lợi Shelter

• 40 kids• 6 PCs• 2 learning facilitators• 0 computing teacher• Purpose: To create opportunities for disadvantaged children

Needs of Binh Loi Shelter specific to our proposal• No structured computing program, lack of volunteers• Slow learning speed of many of the children, and so the

introduction of a new method and dimension of learning in computing could be crucial in impacting their education

Pilot Project: East Meets West

• International highschools + Local schools for disadvantaged children

• Intel: Hardware + Training

Potential funding    

• SEALNet Fellowship Program• Foreign Service Trust Grant• Google