Mobile classrooms

As an example, an educator 'Avatar' can be streamed down to the phone and execute a lesson as it would be taught in a classroom. An assessment is then activated to test the learner and support is provision to technologies such as MXit. This will help address the current problem of class environments reaching capacity, where many learners are missing out on content through the inefficient distribution of resources and over-subscribed classrooms. While paper remains the cornerstone of the educational environment, making paper interactive through cellphones is one solution.

By designing a content sharing platform that can be accessed via a mobile phone, learners now have the ability to manage their own learning process and are able to access content 'anytime, anyplace, anywhere'.

Technology offers scalability

By partnering a WAP-enabled mobile phone with a content-rich paper workbook, The Star Schools' 'mystar' mobile platform has created a virtual classroom that can be accessed anytime, from anywhere.

Using a 3D barcode tag printed on a page and a mobile phone, with free-to-download tag reading software, learners can access additional content that ranges from a 3D exploded-view video of an electric motor to teachers that comes on screen and provide lesson content just as they would in a classroom.

With regard to scalability, it is practically infinite. Currently, the system resides on a 50 Terabyte server, which can be expanded as and when required.

The mobile functionality is further supported by a bespoke technology called the 'Interactive Elastic Cloud'. What this means is that should a learner be accessing his or her profile from a computer (via internet café, or school multimedia lab), the session is captured at the point of logout. If the learner then accesses the system from a mobile phone, the session resumes from the logout point, providing a seamless content experience from any access point.

What Star Schools has done is provide all the functionality and content of a world-class, computer-based education content delivery system, at a fraction of the cost. "Education should be interactive and universally accessible," says its CEO, Atul Patel, the driving force behind the innovation.

Current syllabus

The paper component of the innovation at the moment includes substantial A4 workbooks covering mathematics, physical science, English and accounts, amongst other subjects, for learners in grades 10-12. For focused support, compact z-fold cards are available that addresses one subject topic at a time. This allows learners to get support with particular topics where necessary.

This is the first application of the innovation. Thanks to a world-class infrastructure and flexible design and development, this blended technology has a vast scope for future applications.