LOOMA
Open source, adaptable, high-tech education
THE CHALLENGE
Many schools in resource-limited developing nations lack the basic necessities for enhanced education: infrastructure, reliable electricity, Internet access, and quality educational content.
THE SOLUTION
Looma Education is developing Looma, an affordable and low power-consuming audio-visual education computer. Looma can provide an interactive window to educational content for any school even without an Internet connection.
Looma combines a computer, A/V projection system, webcam, and massive storage. It uses only 55W from deep-cycle 12-volt batteries that are charged with solar power.
Features
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Bright 700-lumen image--typically 1X2 meters projected on a white wall
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A powerful Linux computer with massive 128 GB storage
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Full set of textbooks for Grades 1-10
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15,000 media files including Wikipedia, Khan Academy and many more
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Ample sound for the whole classroom
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A webcam to record teacher or student presentations
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Connectivity by mobile phone, Ethernet (when available), USB, and WiFi
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Many operating features: built-in dictionary, English text-to-speech (reads the text to students), lesson plans, white board
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Fully interactive--controlled by an aerial mouse (a wand) anywhere in the room
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LE's open-source software with many applications