ASANKA

ASANKA addresses three significant educational challenges prevalent not only in Ghana but also in many communities across Africa, the Caribbean, and globally.

1. Curriculum & Content Distribution (CCD): The World Bank's skills assessment revealed alarming deficiencies in educational outcomes, particularly in Ghana, where Grade 2 pupils in public schools struggle with basic reading and numeracy skills. This underscores the failure of current educational practices to deliver effective learning outcomes. Additionally, challenges in CCD, such as logistical issues, theft, spoilage, and lack of inventory control, further exacerbate the problem by hindering the delivery of essential textbooks and educational materials to schools.

2. Evidence-based Decision Making (EDM): Despite successful CCD, there is a lack of tools and resources for educators and administrators to assess student progress and make informed decisions to improve educational outcomes. The absence of EDM tools leaves stakeholders relying on guesswork, luck, and outdated traditions, hindering efforts to address learning gaps and enhance teaching strategies effectively.

3. Localized Content (LC): Research shows that localized educational content enhances student comprehension and reading abilities. However, many students face challenges in accessing localized content due to unfamiliar language usage, problem examples, and cultural references. The Ghana Education Service and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment set a national curriculum, but schools often struggle to provide quality, localized content, leaving students at a disadvantage.

The scale of these challenges is significant, impacting millions of students and educators across various regions. ASANKA's solution targets these issues by providing an offline Learning Management System (LMS) that facilitates the distribution of curriculum-aligned educational content, supports evidence-based decision-making through analytics and assessment tools, and offers localized content to enhance student learning experiences. By addressing these challenges, ASANKA aims to improve educational outcomes and empower learners in underserved communities worldwide.

ASANKA stands as an innovative solution for foundational learners and is an effective Digital Educational Content Experience Deployment tool for Individualized Learning Enhancement. Its versatility and functionality are tailored to meet the unique needs of learners, offering a comprehensive offline learning management system.

In addition to its offline capabilities, ASANKA boasts two powerful features: the ASANKA Cloud Account (ACA) and the ASANKA Store. The ACA provides funders or administrators with a centralized platform to manage learning content on the device. Through ACA, administrators can curate and update educational materials, ensuring relevance and up-to-date content. Moreover, ACA offers analytical reports on learner progress, enabling educators to track performance and tailor instruction accordingly.

The ASANKA Store serves as an online marketplace where local publishers can exchange educational products. This platform facilitates collaboration and knowledge sharing within the education community, promoting diversity and inclusion in educational materials.

ASANKA's portability and ease of use make it an ideal solution for all levels of learners so long as they need content to study. It accommodates 30 users simultaneously and over 1000 user login details, allowing multiple learners to access resources simultaneously. Users can connect to the device within a 100-meter radius using any WiFi-enabled device. Furthermore, ASANKA can be powered by a simple power bank, eliminating the need for constant electricity access.

ASANKA offers a multiplicity of content formats, including e-books, videos, audio, interactive games, quizzes, and other relevant digital educational content. This diversity caters to different learning styles and preferences, enhancing the educational experience for all learners.

Its user-friendly interface and personalized learning capabilities ensure an optimal learning experience. Learners can access a range of educational materials tailored to their individual needs and pace. ASANKA employs AI solutions to adapt content, ensuring effective learning outcomes.

In summary, ASANKA represents a transformative approach to education, breaking barriers and empowering learners to reach their full potential. Its offline capabilities, personalized learning features, and diverse content formats make it a valuable tool in bridging the digital divide and fostering equitable access to education.

For more information and updates, please visit www.myasanka.com. Demo Vidoe:

Target Population: ASANKA serves primarily students and educators in underserved communities, particularly those in regions with limited or unreliable internet access. This includes rural areas across Ghana and potentially other developing countries facing similar challenges.

Current Underservice: These communities often lack access to:

• Locally-relevant educational content: Existing resources might not reflect local languages, cultures, or religious traditions.
• Reliable Internet access: Traditional LMS solutions often require consistent internet connectivity, which can be expensive or unavailable in these areas.
• Data-driven decision-making: Educational authorities may lack clear data on learning progress and challenges faced by students and teachers.

How ASANKA Addresses Needs:

• Free, Offline Local Content: ASANKA provides a free, offline platform for accessing and sharing locally relevant educational materials. This empowers students to learn at their own pace, even without the Internet.
• Reduced Data Costs: By sharing content through Wi-Fi without the Internet, ASANKA saves on data charges, making education more affordable.
• Improved Learning Management: User profiles and analytics track progress, allowing teachers to personalize instruction and identify areas for improvement.
• Evidence-Based Decision Making: Coupled with the ASANKA Cloud Account (ACA), learning data becomes accessible to decision-makers. This allows for informed resource allocation and curriculum adjustments based on regional needs.

Overall Impact: ASANKA aims to bridge the educational gap by providing accessible, culturally relevant learning opportunities. It empowers students, strengthens teacher effectiveness, and equips authorities with data to improve educational outcomes in underserved communities.

We strive to maintain a multi-national team that is diverse in age, gender, religion, creed, physical ability and experience. It is this diversity that we feel gives TECHAiDE its strength and ability to out-compete in the marketplace. It’s the reason we succeed where others do not.

Kafui A. Prebbie is an Education and ICT for Development expert who has worked for several years developing and applying technology and education solutions - especially within rural settings in Africa. Kafui’s work as an ICT and Education consultant both locally and internationally

has seen him work for several clients and collaborators including the Commonwealth of Learning, Canada; Campaign for Girls Education (CAMFED), UK; World Education International, USA and Ghana; Plan International, Ghana; International Institute for Communications and Development, Netherlands; EDIFY, USA; Wireless Africa Project, South Africa; DelPHE Project funded by British Council Ghana; European Union FP7 funded Digital World Forum Project; and the Ghana Aids Commission under the Office of the President of Ghana, among others.

Kafui trained as a Project Manager and managed many projects including the Technology component of the USAID Funded Education project - the Transition and Persistence Project implemented by Plan Ghana in 13 Districts in Ghana. He has trained and spoken at different local and international events in Brussels, Egypt, Ghana, India, London, Nigeria, Paris, Sierra Leone, Spain, South Africa, Switzerland, USA and including the TEDEx Harambe event.

Kafui Prebbie, MBI, CEO

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kafuiprebbie/ 

FJ Cava, MBA, COO

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fjcava/

TECHAiDE's Impact Report (TECHAiDE Impact) highlights the testing of 4 pivotal initiatives aimed at bridging the digital divide and enhancing educational outcomes. Notably, ASANKA, an offline learning system, has been deployed in 4 countries, including Ghana, the Gambia, Haiti, and Liberia, with over 500 devices across 175 locations. Within 3 years, there's been a significant 51% increase in student performance and a 56.2% rise in female enrollment. The research follows the IRIS+ system. ASANKA V10, the latest iteration, features the ASANKA Cloud Account and Store, enhancing user experience. Customizability is a key feature, supported by a dedicated team.

TECHAiDE is applying to Solve because we believe in the power of collaboration and innovation to address pressing global challenges, particularly in education. Our mission aligns closely with Solve's objectives of leveraging technology and partnerships to drive positive social impact.

Specifically, we are seeking Solve's support to overcome various barriers that hinder the scalability and sustainability of our ASANKA solution. These barriers include:

1. Financial: While we have made significant strides in developing and deploying ASANKA, securing adequate funding remains a challenge. Solve's network and resources can help us access the financial support needed to expand our reach and enhance the functionality of our solution.

2. Technical: As technology continues to evolve, staying at the forefront of innovation is essential. Solve can connect us with technical experts and resources to further develop and refine ASANKA, ensuring it remains relevant and effective in addressing educational challenges

By partnering with Solve, we aim to leverage their expertise, resources, and network to overcome these barriers and accelerate the impact of ASANKA on education outcomes for underserved communities globally. We are committed to collaborating with Solve and its partners to create meaningful and sustainable change in the field of education.

Bridging the Digital Divide with ASANKA's Offline Content and Connectivity

Here's a refined version of the text incorporating the information about ASANKA's offline capabilities and its potential to bridge the digital divide:

ASANKA: Empowering Education Beyond Connectivity

While internet access is often seen as a prerequisite for quality education, ASANKA breaks this barrier. Its offline digital content access feature empowers communities with limited or no internet to connect with a wealth of educational resources.

A single ASANKA device boasts impressive capacity, connecting up to 30 users simultaneously and registering over 1,000 individual accounts. This ensures maximum impact within a community.

Portability and Durability: Education on the Go

Highly portable like a mobile device, ASANKA's functionality extends beyond areas with reliable electricity. A power bank can keep it running in remote locations with unstable power sources. The quiet metal casing safeguards the device, ensuring long-lasting use in various environments.

Local Content Preloaded and Globally Updatable

ASANKA comes preloaded with free, locally-relevant content specific to the countries it operates in. This ensures immediate access to valuable educational materials upon setup.

Despite its offline capabilities, ASANKA's hybrid nature and the ASANKA Cloud Account (ACA) allow for remote updates from anywhere in the world. This ensures the content remains relevant and up-to-date.

Local Partnerships for Richer Content

The ASANKA Store, a digital marketplace, fosters collaboration with local publishers. Publishers can exchange their digital resources for value, further enriching the content library with diverse perspectives and materials.

ASANKA: A Bridge to Educational Equity

By addressing the digital divide, ASANKA tackles issues of digital literacy and access. It empowers educators, fosters student engagement, and ultimately strives to ensure equal and quality education for all.

In today's rapidly evolving world, the demand for cutting-edge learning experiences is paramount. Leading

the way, TECHAiDE has introduced the groundbreaking ASANKA, an unparalleled solution that revolutionizes the way digital content and e-learning tools are effortlessly delivered to schools, transcending any infrastructure hurdles or limitations in internet connectivity. Embrace the limitless possibilities offered by the ASANKA micro cloud, empowering students, teachers, and administrators to seamlessly centralize curriculum & content management, improve human resource management, and promote evidence-based decision-making. With its immense power, flexibility, and customizable features, the ASANKA is poised to redefine teaching in the 21st century.

ASANKA Impact Goals:

1. Improved Learner Educational Outcomes: Enhance educational outcomes by providing equitable access to quality educational content.

2. Effective and Efficient Use of the Device: Ensure ASANKA devices are utilized effectively and efficiently by educators and learners.

3. Increasing Teaching and Learning Outcomes: Positively impact teaching and learning outcomes by empowering educators with valuable tools and resources.

Measuring Progress:

1. Student Performance Metrics: Track improvements in standardized test scores and assessments.

2. Enrollment Rates: Monitor changes in female and general student enrollment rates.

3. Literacy and Numeracy Skills: Assess improvements in literacy and numeracy through evaluations.

4. Device Utilization Rates: Analyze frequency and duration of ASANKA usage.

5. User Feedback: Gather feedback from educators and students to evaluate satisfaction.

6. Teacher Satisfaction: Assess satisfaction with ASANKA features and support resources.

7. Student Engagement: Measure engagement levels with ASANKA content.

8. Impact on Teaching Methodologies: Evaluate changes in instructional practices.

The core technology behind ASANKA is a portable single-board computer paired with a Content Management System running on an nginx server. This system sets up a wireless access point (AP) on the ASANKA, making the content accessible. Users can access the content by simply visiting "myasanka.info" in the browser of any WiFi-enabled device connected to the ASANKA's AP.

To showcase the effectiveness of ASANKA in enhancing learning experiences for functional learners, we draw upon various forms of evidence and collaborations:

1. Media Coverage and Testimonials: ASANKA's impact has been featured in media outlets like Voice of America (VOA), with interviews featuring our CEO, Mr. Kafui Prebbie. These stories offer real-life examples and testimonials highlighting ASANKA's positive influence on learners' lives.

2. Practical Application in Educational Settings: Over the past seven years, ASANKA has been deployed in over 500 devices. TECHAiDE's partnership with institutions like AIRTAD underscores its recognition and validation in the education sector, with documented outputs from events and collaborations.

3. Educational Partnerships: TECHAiDE's longstanding partnership with AIRTAD, spanning from 2012 to the present, serves as a testament to ASANKA's effectiveness. This collaboration signifies endorsement from educational experts and institutions, further validating its impact on functional learners.

4. Program Documentation and Visual Evidence: Events like AIRTAD provide platforms for discussing ASANKA's innovations, with articles, presentations, and discussions showcasing its impact. Additionally, videos from these programs offer visual evidence of ASANKA's functionality and user interface, highlighting its role in facilitating learning experiences.

Through a combination of media coverage, practical applications, partnerships, and program documentation, we demonstrate ASANKA's tangible impact on functional learners. Ongoing evaluations, user feedback, and academic research continue to inform and validate its effectiveness, driving continuous improvements to our solution.

20 Full-time Staff, 1 Part-time and 3 Contract

We have been working as Techaide for 12 years and the ASANKA idea is 7 years since its launch. 

As a team, We strive to maintain a multi-national team that is diverse in age, gender, religion, creed, physical ability and experience. It is this diversity that we feel gives TECHAiDE its strength and ability to out-compete in the marketplace. It’s the reason we succeed where others do not.

Kafui A. Prebbie is an Education and ICT for Development expert who has worked for several years developing and applying technology and education solutions - especially within rural settings in Africa. Kafui’s work as an ICT and Education consultant both locally and internationally

has seen him work for several clients and collaborators including the Commonwealth of Learning, Canada; Campaign for Girls Education (CAMFED), UK; World Education International, USA and Ghana; Plan International, Ghana; International Institute for Communications and Development, Netherlands; EDIFY, USA; Wireless Africa Project, South Africa; DelPHE Project funded by British Council Ghana; European Union FP7 funded Digital World Forum Project; and the Ghana Aids Commission under the Office of the President of Ghana, among others.

Kafui trained as a Project Manager and managed many projects including the Technology component of the USAID Funded Education project - the Transition and Persistence Project implemented by Plan Ghana in 13 Districts in Ghana. He has trained and spoken at different local and international events in Brussels, Egypt, Ghana, India, London, Nigeria, Paris, Sierra Leone, Spain, South Africa, Switzerland, USA and including the TEDEx Harambe event.

Kafui Prebbie, MBI, CEO

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kafuiprebbie/ 

FJ Cava, MBA, COO

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fjcava/

Retailer

TECHAiDE buys finished goods from manufacturers or distributors and interfaces directly with customers. (EX: EDULab, Makerspace, ASANKA)

Fee-for-Service

TECHAiDE sells specialized services directly to our customers. (EX:  IT Managed Services, Training)

Subscription

TECHAiDE strives to attract clients in the hopes of luring them into long-time, loyal patrons. This is done by offering our ASANKA Cloud Account (ACA) product that requires ongoing payment in return for a fixed duration of benefit. 

Marketplace

TECHAiDE in exchange for hosting the ASANKA Store platform for businesses to be able to conduct business, the marketplace (aka TECHAiDE) receives compensation in the form of a percentage of each sale. Although transactions could occur without a marketplace, this business model attempts to make transacting easier, safer, and faster.