Solar-Powered MoodleBox Learning System (S-MLS)

The effort is organized through the medical education at the Texas College of Osteopathic medicine at University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC), and includes collaboration with the extensive system of University of North Texas (UNT) Denton.

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights article 26(1), everyone has the right to education. However, children worldwide are denied access to education due to a broad range of demographic issues and consequences. There are a multitude of reasons for this outcome including a lack of stable power, internet connectivity issues, and insufficient equipment and mobile devices. Further, war, conflict, and political situations affect local and regional education in underdeveloped societies, developing countries, and rural areas. These are compounded by disruptions in education like the COVID-19 pandemic along with disability and language barriers. 

This is a significant problem. The World Bank estimates 260 million children still need to be in school, threatening many countries' efforts to achieve development goals through human capital and falling far beyond achieving quality education. Seventy five percent of the population in rural areas were not technically connected and 20 countries report having low literacy rates impacting the potential for income. Millions of people are affected by war and political crisis within their own country that forces them to flee and find refuge in another country. Further, in the US, 244 of the 250 poorest counties are rural, with 43% of the population considered low-income. They face diverse challenges that hinder education.

Further. According to the world bank 260 million children are denied primary and secondary education due to attacks on educational institutions, schools being bombed, damaged, inaccessible to students or being used by armed forces. Millions of families in war-torn areas are forced to leave their homes and find refuge in another country, often causing lapses and lags in education. The most affected area is Sub-Saharan Africa with 32 million children of primary school age remaining uneducated. Indigenous People make up an estimated 370 million around the world in 90 different countries. Under the UN Declaration Rights of Indigenous People, they too have the right to education, but this assertion falls far short of accomplishing its goal.

The COVID-19 variant has significantly impacted education and unfortunately led to cuts in public education spending, leading to large disparities in achievement levels. Rural areas were especially hard hit because of the lack of resources. As witnessed,   the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to online learning, with students quickly adapting and exploring new ways to learn. However, due to the lack of stable power, poor network access, lack of digital skills, and the absence of technical support there are significant constraints and challenges in utilizing technology worldwide. These educational barriers hinder academic learning but also lead to severe limitations on the ability to fully access essential health practices and behavioral knowledge, critical for community well-being. Addressing these challenges is about more than just access to education. It is also about enriching rural communities, underrepresented societies, and developing countries with the skills and awareness necessary for health and societal advancement. Our initiative aims to play a pivotal role in using this innovative approach to opening doors and act as a catalyst for health improvement and overall community empowerment.

Our solution is a solar-powered, Raspberry Pi, Moodle Box learning system (S-MLS) that could provide education to developing countries, rural areas and undeveloped area population. The system will use solar-powered energy with Moodle Learning Management System for learning. The users will connect to the system through Wi-Fi access points through mobile phone, laptops, iPad or computers. The system has the possibility of connecting 20-30 devices. The unit can be accessed without internet, facilitated by MoodleBox platform (Moodle LMS), an open source software downloaded free of charge.

The same unit can be connected to the internet through the Raspberry Pi ethernet port to an internet connection or a satellite connection for places with internet connectivity. Students can use an Internet connectivity through a local internet service provider (ISP) to connect to either MOOC (massive open online course) online learning system or gain an education connecting to any open university. The technology model S-MLS would also be able to cater for the deep field locations where solar power or Satellite (Starlink) connection. With further exploration the Raspberry Pi can be used with artificial intelligence for a smart blended learning to have adaptive and personalized feedback. 

Connection

The figure shows the connection between the solar-powered Raspberry Pi system and the power adapter. For locations with internet connectivity, the ethernet will be connected to the Raspberry Pi.

1. Raspberry Pi 4 Model B with 8MB RAM

2. Anker PowerCore 13000

3. FlexSolar 10-Watt Flexible Solar Charger

4. USB C Cable

5. USB Cable (from FlexSolar to adapter

6. Ethernet Cable

Note: The Raspberry Pi should be connected to a GeeekPi Raspberry Pi UPS V5 Power Supply Uninterrupted UPS HAT. If the Raspberry Pi is directly connected to the solar power, the UPS HAT will ensure uninterrupted power supply even when the adapter is being charged.

The solution includes Raspberry Pi system, Sim card, Power Adapter, Solar Power unit, USBC cable & HDMI Cable for 256 $, MoodleBox is a free download to the Raspberry Pi, that connects Moodle LMS. System installation takes (3-4hrs) minimum., with limited teacher training or train the trainers on system software/hardware. Raspberry Pi consumes little power, and the robust model with a consuming load the same as an LED 5.5-watt light bulb. A battery of 12,000mAh with 80% efficiency could run for about 27 hours and can be left to run continuously 24/7. Raspberry Pi 4B with 10-watt solar power and a battery adapter of 13000mAh; the adapter could function for more hours. Raspberry Pi is a high-performing computer with a lower cost and usage of electricity as 6 W and MoodleBox with Moodle LMS is open access and a free download to be used in the Raspberry Pi system. The MoodleBox with Moodle LMS caters for more than 100 different languages. The solution could help refugees to learn using their native language and English language, and other developing countries to learn in their native language through Moodle LMS.

Who will be served:

The technology solution aims to serve the educational issues faced within underdeveloped societies, developing countries, rural areas, and refugee camp populations. These regions face barriers to education including limited access to education, economic disparities, inadequate technology infrastructure, health challenges, limited job opportunities, lack of qualified teachers, outdated curriculum, and various social-political factors such as conflicts and unstable governance. Additionally, issues like unstable power supply, insufficient funding, middle-income economic status, healthcare accessibility and social marginalization further compound the difficulties. Consequently, children in these areas lack access to primary and secondary education due to low income, limited resources, and constrained opportunities.

 Impact of the solution:

The solution is to bridge the lifelong learning gap with limited infrastructure, enhancing online learning and teaching, with or without internet access, and engaging learners in personalized and self-paced learning experiences. 

• Education and health are essential services for rural and developing countries so that this solution will provide education and health in hard-to-reach places. The system can facilitate community building for better skills and self-advocacy. Provide health beliefs and knowledge to uplift health for better lifestyle choices. Reduce the communication gap between physicians and patients through language translation. Boost learning opportunities offline that support community development and unemployment and provide resources needed for urgent healthcare, health upliftment, and aid wellness programs.
• Rural populations will have the advantage of quality education, health care, and employment. With some areas being facilitated with internet connectivity, the communities could access the MOOCs platform or download the necessary educational materials to study in remote locations that would synchronize with the server once connected to the internet. Using MOOCs will allow learners to expand their skills, career development, and advancement. The system will support the unconnected population with low literacy rates and income in rural areas.
• The refugee camp population would have quality education. With Moodle catering to many different languages, the solution will benefit the camp population in education, language translation, and health formalities. The educational materials can be translated or taught using their native language and English, the universal language. The refugee population could see beyond the camp by educating themselves with knowledge, confidence, and skills to expand their horizons. Learning English will allow them to quickly start and settle in their new territory. Language barrier leads to a decrease in patient safety and healthcare delivery. Communication problems will be minimal, and access to transportation and health services can be easily gained after arriving in the host country. 

Improving the lives of underdeveloped societies while addressing education, socio-economic, and health challenges. Using S-MLS will empower individual digital literacy skills that can open new avenues for employment and economic growth, contributing to poverty alleviation. It will also enable health monitoring, health education on hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention, and skill development for better job opportunities and career prospects. With multilingual capabilities, S-MLS can address language barriers and enhance the learning experience.

Our diverse team partners dedicated educators, researchers, and innovators from the University of North Texas (UNT) and the UNT Health Science Center with a shared vision of developing a unique, sustainable, tech-based solution for a new model of educational delivery. The goal is to transform learning in developing countries, rural areas, and underrepresented communities. With multidisciplinary expertise and rich cultural backgrounds, coupled with hands-on experiences, our team is uniquely positioned to address educational inequities. This team's strength is crucial to ensuring sensitive, inclusive, and globally relevant solutions.

Dr. Baker's mastery in financial forecasting and evaluation of learning environments anchors our project in both academic rigor and practical feasibility. Her unique blend of skills in educational theory and project management ensures our initiative is educationally sound and operationally viable.

Dr. Warren's experience in instructional systems technology adds to our approach with cutting-edge methodology. His work with game-based learning plays an important role in creating effective learning experiences for a wide range of learners.

Dr. Wright brings many years of expertise in instructional technology (IT). His deep understanding of online teaching methodologies enhances our ability to develop tech-based learning environments, like Moodle, which are innovative and effective.

Dr. Samaranayake draws upon her rich background in IT and deep-rooted involvement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to provide key insights on applying technology in education for underrepresented and rural areas. Her focus on harnessing solar power aligns perfectly with the mission of sustainable, community-focused solutions.

Dr. Hassan has over a decade as a researcher and educator training health professionals to address health disparities and social determinants of health in minority communities. Her proficiency in assessment and data analysis allows her to effectively leverage information to guide action in education and healthcare settings. Her work with refugees and addressing health inequities complements the team’s commitment to advancing marginalized populations. 

Dr. Janet Lieto's expertise in leadership and curriculum development in healthcare systems not only provides expertise in curriculum development, systems thinking, adaptive learning, and professional identity growth but also fosters innovative healthcare education strategies.

Lin Nelson's (MBA) extensive entrepreneurial and technology-based business acumen adds a vital dimension of strategic and operational excellence to our team. Her ability to bridge the gap between innovative ideas and sustainable business models is invaluable for the scalability and sustainability of our solutions.

Dr. Lesca Hadley's work in medical education across diverse international settings and teaching medical professionals gives us firsthand insights into the challenging needs of emerging regions, remote locales, and marginalized populations.

Our project's vision is grounded in sustainable development, cultural sensitivity, and active community participation through a novel technology-based solution. Collectively, our team represents a unique blend of academic rigor, practical and business experience, and a deep commitment to uplifting society. We stand united in our goal of leveling the educational playing field and empower communities globally, making us ideally suited for the MIT Solve Challenge by integrating advanced technology, ensuring inclusivity in educational design, and equipping learners with critical skills for their future challenges.

The chosen stage was selected based on the significant progress made in the development and testing of the solar-powered Raspberry Pi models equipped with MoodleBox as the learning management system. The project has successfully completed construction and testing as part of a team member's dissertation research, in collaboration with student doctors from the University of Texas Health Science Center.

The study commenced with a pilot in Guatemala, providing valuable insights into the tool's performance in a developing country context. Subsequently, the system was tested within an underrepresented U.S. society, specifically at the World Relief clubhouse in Fort Worth, where student doctors evaluated its efficacy. Additionally, testing was extended to three rural locations in Alpine, West Texas, aiming to represent the rural population's needs.

Throughout the research, nineteen students actively participated, providing feedback through surveys and semi-structured interviews. Survey results indicated that 90% of students found the system easy to use, with 84% considering it unnecessarily complex. Moreover, 95% of participants believed that people would quickly learn to use the system due to its simplicity.

The interviews generated 27 recommendations for system enhancement, grouped into four thematic areas: helping societies, pedagogical access and learner advancement, technological assessment through connectivity, and the overall benefit of the system to society. The recommendations encompassed various aspects, including addressing internet and Wi-Fi limitations, providing diverse educational topics, offering language translation support, improving healthcare education and accessibility, and incorporating live interactive modules.

The extensive research and data gathered have provided valuable insights into the effectiveness and potential of the developed S-MLS model. With further advancement, this model holds promise for providing much-needed educational opportunities, particularly in underserved areas, with a focus on education and health.

Overall, the progress achieved thus far demonstrates a solid foundation for advancing the project to the next stage, with a clear understanding of its potential impact and areas for improvement.

Specific Financial Barriers

Our solar-powered Raspberry Pi models with MoodleBox have shown promising results in piloted research study. However, to extend this project globally requires substantial financial support. Collaboration with Solve can help the team to secure the necessary funding to manufacture and distribute these educational systems to various parts of the world. Financial support through Solve can enable the team to scale up production, reduce costs, and make this sustainable education solution more accessible to reach more communities and bridge the education gap in remote and underserved areas.

Technical Barriers

The technical implementation and maintenance of the solar-powered Raspberry Pi models demands expertise and resources. The collaboration with Solve’s partners can provide access to a network of technical experts and resources, facilitating the improvement of our technology model. This support may include guidance on hardware optimization, software updates, and the integration of new features e.g. connectivity through satellite and & artificial intelligence as a personalized system for students. By leveraging Solve's technical expertise, we can ensure the enhancement of scalability and sustainability of our educational solution on a global scale to diverse academic environment.

Legal, Cultural, or Market Barriers:

Expanding the project globally involves challenges. Solve's collaboration can help us address navigating diverse legal, cultural, and market landscapes. Solve's extensive network and experience can guide us in tailoring our educational solution to fit easily into various cultural contexts. Additionally, Solve's legal expertise can assist in navigating regulatory requirements, ensuring compliance, and fostering partnerships with local stakeholders, and NGO’s.

The pilot program is innovative because the software and hardware require a customized solution to make it work. Our approach to addressing the issue of educational accessibility to solve connectivity issues in rural, remote and in developing countries. Traditional methods often rely on stable power sources and internet connectivity. Our solar-powered Raspberry Pi models coupled with MoodleBox offer a unique blend of sustainability and adaptability. By harnessing solar energy, we eliminate the need for grid power, making education accessible in the most remote and off-grid locations. Moreover, our integration of MoodleBox allows for offline access to educational resources, ensuring continuous learning opportunities even in areas with limited or no internet connectivity.

Our model is designed to seamlessly integrate with readily available items that can be easily purchased or leveraged with existing resources and infrastructure. The components of our model, including the solar-powered Raspberry Pi units and MoodleBox software, can be combined with off-the-shelf products such as solar panels, batteries, and networking equipment. This compatibility ensures our solution is accessible and adaptable, empowering communities to implement this system with minimal barriers and maximum effectiveness. Our innovation offers a cost-effective and scalable approach to providing education in underserved communities.

This innovative approach catalyzes broader positive impacts by making educational access universally available using this technology model. By demonstrating the effectiveness and scalability of our solar-powered Raspberry Pi models with MoodleBox, we can bridge the gap with other educational technology models. This achievement could inspire others in the education space to replicate or adapt our model to address similar challenges in their own communities. This could lead to a spread of similar initiative worldwide, exponentially increasing access to education for underserved populations. The integration of technology, renewable energy, and focus on learning in this project promotes technological innovation in the education sector. As other organizations and innovators engage with our model, they may develop new technologies, software applications, or methods that further enhance educational access and quality.

Our solution can dramatically expand access to education, particularly in underserved and remote areas where traditional infrastructure is lacking. This expansion of access could lead to a more inclusive and equitable education system, narrowing the divide between urban and rural communities. By providing learners with access to educational resources and tools, our solution empowers individuals to take control of their own learning journey. This could lead to a more personalized and learner-centric approach to education, where individuals have the freedom to pursue their interests and goals at their own pace. This unique solution integrates technology, renewable energy, and education to offer a novel approach to tackle educational challenges. This could spark further innovation in education technology resulting in new products, services, and methodologies. With the continued integration of artificial intelligence and satellite connectivity, we aim to elevate learning outcomes to unprecedented levels.

Our solution aims to democratize education by reaching individuals who lack easy access, such as those residing in remote areas or facing challenges due to conflicts or limited resources. We achieved this through an innovative use of solar-powered technology and MoodleBox, a platform tailored for Moodle Learning Management. With our solution, learners can access educational materials and resources even in areas without reliable electricity or internet connectivity. By enhancing accessibility to education, we aim to empower individuals, expand their opportunities, and uplift entire communities.

Our approach involves configuring solar-powered Raspberry Pi models with MoodleBox and deploying them to underserved communities, including developing countries, rural areas, and refugee camps. Immediate outputs include providing access to diverse educational resources, tailored to individual needs, and collaborating with local universities or NGOs to facilitate educational models in local languages through Moodle Learning Management systems.

In the long term, our solution targets increased access to education by overcoming barriers such as lack of electricity and internet connectivity, ensuring continuous access to quality education. Additionally, we aim to improve learning outcomes by empowering learners with knowledge and skills for personal and professional growth. Through education, we seek to catalyze community development and empowerment, fostering social and economic progress within communities.

Our solution promotes sustainability and scalability by harnessing solar energy and leveraging open-source technology. This ensures long-term impact and resilience in the face of challenges. Evidence supporting our impact includes existing research demonstrating the positive correlation between education access and socio-economic development. Our research, conducted in Guatemala, West-Texas, and Fort Worth, Texas refugee clinic, further validates the effectiveness of our solution through qualitative phenomenology research.

Through ongoing research monitoring and evaluation, we continuously gather data to measure our solution's effectiveness. Feedback from surveys and interviews confirms the positive impact of our solution in achieving desired outcomes. Our theory of change outlines how our solution's activities lead to immediate outputs and longer-term outcomes, ultimately resulting in increased access to education, improved learning outcomes, community empowerment, and sustainable impact.

Our primary impact goal is to increase access to quality education in underserved communities, including developing countries, rural areas, and refugee camps. We aim to improve learning outcomes by equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed for personal and professional development and our solution seeks to empower communities by fostering social and economic development through education.

Measuring Progress by the number of solar-powered Raspberry Pi models with MoodleBox deployed in target communities. This indicates the reach of our solution and the extent to which access to education is being increased. We will track usage metrics, such as the number of users accessing educational resources through MoodleBox and the frequency of usage. This helps us understand the level of engagement and impact on learning outcomes.

We will conduct the learning assessments through pre- and post-assessments to measure changes in knowledge, skills, and competencies among learners using our solution. This allows us to gauge improvements in learning outcomes over time and collect feedback from individuals and communities benefiting from our solution to assess its perceived impact on education access, learning outcomes, and community empowerment. This qualitative data provides valuable insights into the transformative effects of our solution on people's lives. We will also align our impact goals with relevant indicators associated with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to education (e.g., SDG 4: Quality Education). By tracking progress against these indicators, we ensure our solution contributes to broader global development objectives. By monitoring these indicators and continuously evaluating our progress, we aim to ensure that our solution achieves its intended impact goals and creates meaningful, transformational change in the lives of individuals and communities worldwide.

Our solution utilizes the power of modern technology to address the pressing issue of educational accessibility in underserved communities. At its core, our technology comprises solar-powered Raspberry Pi models integrated with MoodleBox, that uses Moodle as an open-source Learning Management System (LMS).

The Solar-Powered Raspberry Pi devices serve as the hardware backbone of our solution. Raspberry Pi is a credit-card-sized computer that runs on low-power consumption and can be powered by solar energy. This makes it ideal for deployment in off-grid and remote areas where access to electricity is limited or unreliable. The solar panels attached to the Raspberry Pi models capture sunlight and convert it into electricity, providing a sustainable power source for the devices.

MoodleBox: MoodleBox is an open-source software platform that functions as a Learning Management System (LMS) that uses Moodle. It allows users to create, manage, and deliver educational content and resources, including courses, quizzes, and multimedia materials. MoodleBox is designed to be lightweight and portable, making it suitable for deployment in resource-constrained environments. With MoodleBox, learners can access educational materials offline, eliminating the need for constant internet connectivity. Additionally, MoodleBox supports over 100 languages, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for diverse communities.

By combining solar-powered Raspberry Pi models with MoodleBox, our solution provides a sustainable and scalable approach to delivering education in underserved communities. The technology enables learners to access quality educational resources anytime, anywhere, bridging the gap between educational opportunities and remote populations. Moreover, our solution uses modern technology to benefit both people and the planet, as it promotes environmental sustainability through renewable energy usage while empowering individuals through education. Through train-the-trainer programs, training can be facilitated for the educators.

Eight members are in our team from University of North Texas (UNT) and University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC)

Dr. Nelumdini Samaranayake (UNTHSC)

Dr. Scott Warren (UNT)

Dr. Rose Baker (UNT)

Dr. Robert Wright (UNT)

Dr. Janet Lieto (UNTHSC)

Prof. Lin Nelson (UNTHSC)

Dr. Amany Hassan (UNTHSC)

Dr. Lesca Hadley (UNTHSC)

After three years of planning and development, a solar-powered technology model for education was crafted to accommodate areas both with and without internet access. The culmination of this effort came in 2022 with the unveiling of MoodleBox by Nicolas Martignoni. MoodleBox is a free project utilizing Raspberry Pi 3 or 4 models to establish a Wi-Fi access point, thereby enabling access to educational resources. This breakthrough paved the way for further development of the technology model, which entailed two months of intensive research and a comprehensive dissertation study.

Our leadership team comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds, including from Sri Lanka, Egypt, and the United States of America. This diversity brings a range of perspectives, experiences, and insights to our decision-making processes. As we collaborate to innovate leadership practices for tomorrow, The UNTHSC primary mission remains the creation of solutions for a healthier community.

Our team is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work. We recognize the importance of creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported. This commitment is reflected in our promotion of open communication, active listening to diverse perspectives, and promptly addressing any biases. We recognize that diversity is not only a moral requirement but also essential for driving innovation and achieving our mission effectively.

Business Model - Social business model

At present the Legal entity has not been formed but we are following a Social business model.  Humanitarian spirit and profits should be reinvested to help educate more people, without causing any harm to anyone.  

Our business provides the Solar-powered Raspberry Pi MoodleBox, a portable and sustainable educational technology solution. This device enables educators and students in remote or underserved regions to access high-quality digital learning materials without requiring an internet connection. The solar-powered aspect ensures that even in areas without reliable electricity, learning can continue uninterrupted. Our service includes the device itself, training for educators on how to use and maximize its potential, and ongoing support to ensure its effective implementation in various educational contexts.

We manufacture the Solar-powered Raspberry Pi MoodleBox using cost-effective models for various environments, including rural and remote areas. Our distribution involves partnering with educational organizations, NGOs, and government agencies to reach our target beneficiaries. We also conduct on-site training sessions for educators, providing them with the necessary skills to utilize the MoodleBox effectively. Our team offers continuous support through a hotline and a mobile app, ensuring users can get assistance with any technical issues or questions about integrating MoodleBox into their teaching.

In many remote or poor areas, access to quality education is limited by lack of resources, such as electricity and internet connectivity. Our Solar-powered Raspberry Pi MoodleBox addresses these challenges directly, providing a self-contained, solar-powered educational platform that can be used anywhere. Our primary customers are educational institutions and NGOs looking for innovative solutions to deliver education in challenging environments. Our beneficiaries are the educators and students in remote or underserved areas.

The technology model can enhance community educational experience and outcomes at a low cost as education is a critical pathway to improving their quality of life, offering better job opportunities, and supporting sustainable community development.

We plan to generate revenue through grants and donations from organizations supporting educational technology initiatives. These funds will support our operations, including production, training, and support services, while also enabling us to invest in research and development to further enhance the capabilities of the system.

To ensure sustainability, we prioritize both our customers and beneficiaries, continuously innovating out products and service based on feedback and evolving educational needs. We anticipate partnering with government agencies, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations to provide educational services, training programs, or technology solutions.  

We are aware of the potential risks including technical issues with solar-powered technology, and Raspberry Pi system. In addressing this we will conduct thorough testing and quality assurance procedures before systems are deployed. Additionally  establish partnerships with technical experts who could provide support and troubleshooting assistance as needed, while maintaining backup systems. By proactively identifying and addressing these risks, we aim to minimize their impact and increase the likelihood of success for our product. Our commitment to community engagement and responsive adaptation ensures that our solution effectively meets the diverse requirements of target communities.