Big Green eMachine
From twiki
The Big Green eMachine is project is which converts an old Landrover into a mobile computer lab for the purposes of education in rural South Africa. Lets get people connnected
Contents |
Background
The Big Green Teaching eMachine is a mini project of the Connectivity 4 All initiative of the Friends of Chintsa. Supported by Volunteer Africa and championed by Michael Denison of African Heartland Journeys the aim of Connectivity 4 All is simply to ensure that everyone has access to the global resource of the internet. For some communities, the Big Green eMachine is literally the vehicle which makes it happen.
Vehicle
On the chassis of a Land Rover Forward Control, a once bespoke overlander tour vehicle is converted into a mobile computer lab! Designed to venture across the most difficult terrain the ‘eMachine’ boasts high clearance 4x4 capabilities and could therfore support almost ‘any’ community.
African Heartland Journeys, a Wild Coast Tour Company, have agreed to sponsor the vehicle so that more communities can have appropriate access to computers and structured computer training.
Progress
Stage 1 - mechanical overhaul
Completed. The mechanic was briefed that the vehicle should be mechanically sound for 5 years. All necessary repairs were undertaken from differential units to steering linkage, brake lines to engine service. This was completed in January 2011 in Chintsa East, the vehicle was tested by the Department of Transport and passed Certificate of Roadworthy.
Stage 2 - electrical repair
Completed. An auto electrician overhauled the wiring system in the vehicle to prevent any electrical breakdown.
Stage 3 - internal refurbishment
Completed. The old interior of the tour vehicle has been replaced by bespoke hinged wooden desks designed to fold away and sturdy new benches. The classroom area seats 11 students with just enough space for an educator. Blinds have been installed to reduce glare from the computer screens as well as classroom lights (for operation during the evenings).
Stage 4 & 5 - computer installation and 12v DC infrastructure
Completed. A server and the new laptop computers have been set up with the learners in mind, special software ensures the computers are always at the optimum. Internet connectivity is gained by use of a 3G mobile data package.
The whole computer lab runs on a 12v system. The power is stored in a bank of 12v deep cycle batteries. The batteries provide power through DC voltage converters to the computers and network connectivity is gained by a Netgear 3G router/switch which just happens to run at 12VDC. The whole system is fused and is isolated when not in use.
Stage 6 - Raising the roof
Not applicable.
The truck has visited a couple of workshops in East London and it has been decided that the cost of realising this is too great. During the pilot phase educators were adequately able to teach (but those over 170cm could not stand up).
Stage 7 - Solar system
Completed. With the solar panels and batteries sponsored by First National Battery South Africa the computer lab can operate outside to constraints of mainline electricity.
Location
Of the many rural and remote schools in the greater Chintsa area of the southern Wild Coast, VA32 is unable to set up and run computer labs because of a lack of classroom space, lack of resources and power grid issues. The eMachine contains 11 laptop computers setup so that school learners can learn by day, and adults during the evening. We bring connectivity to you! Anywhere!
Power
To power the lab a dual voltage system will be installed, enabling solar to charge the batteries by day with a generator backup and electric hook-up for use where available.
Teaching
Volunteers of VA32 run and maintain the mobile lab following a formal scheme of work. VA32 has, since 2005, developed a very exciting and interesting approach to computer literacy by marrying it to environmental education. These resources (soon to be made available on the internet) are underwritten and supervised by a qualified teacher and delivered through a team teaching approach. A special thanks must go to Jo Ford, valuable Friends of Chintsa, teacher extraordinaire and recently, mom to Jacob.
The Learners
Those benefitting from the project will be from underprivileged communities between Kei Mouth and Gonubie along the Wild Coast. Most of whom may have never touched a computer.
Volunteer Africa 32 Degrees South
Operating out of Chintsa, VA32 sets up computer labs schools and teaches in them following an e-learning approach. School learners develop computer skills whilst learning about the environment. Using the same labs a successful adult literacy programme has been operating since September 2008 during the evenings.
What an opportunity!
Contributors
A huge amount of gratititude must go to:
- Richard Bullock and family
- Matt Buels
- Bryan Buckley
- Hank Perlman
- Kevin Byrne
- Alex Mehedff
- Brett McManus
- Hungryman
- Vincent Voltz
- First National Battery (South Africa)
- Reflecto signs, East London
Links
A computer animated video of the Big Green eMachine in action
Info sheet about the eMachine
A collection of photos of the vehicle on Flickr
