Versatile Wireless Networks for Offline Sharing and Tracking of Open Educational Resources using Raspberry Pi and TPLink Routers
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This demonstration will showcase two low-cost wireless network configurations using Raspberry Pi and TP-Link routers that allow sharing and accessing open educational resources offline. The devices cost under $50 each, create WiFi access points from USB drives, and can be powered by batteries, addressing barriers to internet and electricity access in African universities. The demo will feature initial performance test results and user feedback from devices deployed in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Liberia.
Versatile Wireless Networks for Offline Sharing and Tracking of Open Educational Resources using Raspberry Pi and TPLink Routers
- 1. ICTD 2013 Demo Submission Demo Title Versatile Wireless Networks for Offline Sharing and Tracking of Open Educational Resources using Raspberry Pi and TPLink Routers Presenter(s) Kathleen Ludewig Omollo, International Program Manager, University of Michigan MSIS Office of Enabling Technologies Venue Information Communication Technologies and Development (ICTD) 2013, Cape Town, South Africa, http://ictd2013.info Submission Guidelines http://ictd.cs.uct.ac.za/contrib-demos.html. Submission deadline is 15 September 2013. Acceptance notifications will be emailed on 27 September 2013. Abstract (minimum 100 words). Describe the context, novelty, and significance of your demonstration. Higher education institutions in sub-Saharan Africa commonly struggle with limited availability, high subscription costs, and unpredictable transmission rates of Internet and electricity on campus. Additionally, many institutions also lack sufficient staffing to maintain and support networking or other technology services on campus. These barriers make it difficult for students and instructors to access, create, and integrate digital learning materials into their institution’s education and research activities. In order to address these barriers, we experimented with two low-cost configurations for setting up portable, easily customizable wireless area networks that can broadcast digital learning materials regardless of whether Internet, electricity, or local networking expertise is available. The two devices selected for wireless access points are TP-Link MR3020 and a Raspberry Pi model B. Both devices are small in size (approximately 7 cm x 7 cm x 3 cm), cost under US$50, and can be configured to create a 802.11N wireless access point that broadcasts the contents of a connected USB storage device. Individuals within range can then browse the files on the USB drive from any wifi-enabled device with a web browser. Since the files are stored on USB flash drives, if anyone wishes to modify the file collection, they simply detach it from the access point and attach to another computer with a monitor and file browser. Both devices offer an optional backup Internet connection by Ethernet if available, which we are currently
- 2. exploring as an alternative method for remote file synchronization through services like Dropbox.com or Box.com in order to update multiple devices simultaneously and to remove the need to detach the USB drives from the access points in order to update the file collection. Both devices accept any power source that is connected by micro- or mini- USB cable, which means they can be powered by a rechargeable battery that simultaneously charges itself and the access point, acting as a longer-lasting alternative to traditional uninterruptible power supplies. The Raspberry Pi offers more customization options than the TP-Link, such as setting up a full operating system and other services (e.g. content management system). The demo will include both the Raspberry Pi and TP-Link configurations with rechargeable power sources and USB drives with offline collections of open educational resources. The demo will also feature initial results of performance tests and user feedback from the 20 devices currently deployed in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Liberia. Technical requirements. Do you need power, internet, tables, chairs, anything unusual? The only technical requirement is 1 table that is ideally at least 1 meter x 0.5 meter. That size should be sufficient in order to display both access points, handouts, the participant’s laptop and her tablet for demos. Extra info, or links. Any relevant info you want us to know. More information about the project, including functionality, configuration instructions, and research questions is available at http://openmi.ch/rasspi-wiki. License This abstract is Copyright 2013 The Regents of the University of Michigan. Shared here under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).