oh, and if you really want? You can embed a reasonable CPU in an ebook reader cheaply. How cheap? 7 USD for a SOC [1] that has 1080p gpu. Couple that with a reasonable rubberized external keyboard and you can use the small 7inch e-ink display as a computer display. You could rig this frankestein-like monster to go into computer mode on demand and hibernate when not in use (goes into ebook mode).

Usage
1. Ebook in normal mode. SOC is shut down. Can be in this mode fore weeks.
2. Button that powers up CPU and goes into computer mode. Eink screen is used as the computer screen. Refresh rates will suck. But IDEs don't care much about fps.
3. Aggressive deep sleep for the CPU while in use. i/o is through a usb hub to a keyboard. Storage utilizes an SD card. Net access is through 3g or wifi.
4. Hibernate/shutdown and it goes back into ebook mode.

Bundle in the usual suspects (python, ruby, asm, C books) in addition to regular school books and you have a recipe for a knowledge based economy.

>> What I am suggesting is a fusion of an ebook reader and a raspberry pi like device.<<

----

Allwinner A10 - ARM Cortex A8 SoC

Its price and features is causing massive disruption of the tablet market in China (a minor recession was caused by widespread cancellation of prior committments to other SoCs!), as every factory in Shenzen scrambles to compete with hundreds of other factories for the same end-user market: tablets and PVRs.
----


1.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allwinner_A10
2. http://rhombus-tech.net/allwinner_a10/
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allwinner_A1X



On Fri, Apr 12, 2013 at 6:09 PM, Laban Mwangi <lmwangi@gmail.com> wrote:
Why not give kids a kindle or an equivalent e-reader? After that, convert all books into epub and push them to kindles (3g).  After that, you no longer have to worry about books distribution. You can push wikipedia sections. You can provide rudimentary internet access... etc.
It makes sense considering that a typical ebook reader will go for 3  weeks on a single charge and can probably be charged for an hour or less using a portable solar charger.


On Fri, Apr 12, 2013 at 4:18 PM, Shadrack Mwaniki <shadrack_mwaniki@yahoo.com> wrote:
I wish we could get statistics here as opposed to mere statements!
Which developed country gives laptops to standard one pupils?(6 year old)

The best exposure to technology is by introduction of ICT related courses
early in the schools curriculumn for axample as early as standard 1

The ICT becomes mandatory and is examined in class 8.

The same replicated in high school up to University.

This way, a pupil would progress gradually in ICT as field of study like mathematics, Sciences or English.

Of course, to teach ICT as a subject, schools would be required to set-up ICT labs for practicals. The labs would
realistically be useful to those in class 4 upwards

In standard one, we need to incorporate pictures of computers and laptops may be.

Regards
Shad



From: Francis Njenga <korefn@gmail.com>
To: Skunkworks Mailing List <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke>
Sent: Friday, April 12, 2013 4:30 PM
Subject: Re: [Skunkworks] Raspberry pi in Kenyan schools

@Buliva

Bill Gates was programming as early as 15, while decades later(2000)
Kenyans get to experience computers at university...

Early adoption and exposure to technology are a necessity. Japan and
the US have shown that from the many innovations from these exposed
youth.


On Fri, Apr 12, 2013 at 3:17 PM, Arthur Buliva <arthurbuliva@hotmail.com> wrote:
These are children. They dont need Pi at that age

Daniel Nyaga <nyaga_nbi@hotmail.com> wrote:

Forget laptops for pupils - way too expensive and difficult. The $35 computer is where it's at..


http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/tag/schools


Google Kenya, ICT Board, Nailab, etc. - Can you hear me?

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Running and Walking are only breaths apart.

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