Helping rural China...Helping rural China...

AGE - project funded byAGE - project funded by

Cradle investment Programme CIP

MDeC Technopreneur Pre-seed Fund Both are Government grants

A project to close the digital divide between nations and rural / urban areas until now a big challenge globally.

AGE - Finalist in AGE - Finalist in Stockholm Challenge 2008 Stockholm Challenge 2008

only Malaysian qualifieronly Malaysian qualifier

A finalist in the A finalist in the Stockholm Challenge 2008Stockholm Challenge 2008“...“...was chosen as a finalist for its innovative ways of was chosen as a finalist for its innovative ways of creating more or less paperless classrooms by the creating more or less paperless classrooms by the effective use of ICT in mass education and for finding effective use of ICT in mass education and for finding new ways to extend education to remote areasnew ways to extend education to remote areas and and developing countries.”developing countries.”

Ulla Skidén, Project Manager, Stockholm ChallengeUlla Skidén, Project Manager, Stockholm Challenge

Full text/press release Full text/press release

Today’s problems with rural ICT in Today’s problems with rural ICT in mass Education mass Education – local and globally – local and globally

Current platforms to deliver contents - CDs / DVDs expensive not practical

- Flash / Javas online broadband required

Yes , both can be very elaborate and rich in presentations.. but

Both are Rich men’s platforms trying to reach the poor men (those without broadband or CDs in cities and rural areas)There are just too many problems using these !

AGE is a poor men’s platform able to reach the rich and poor men.AGE can reach the remotest areas in seconds of download for hours of animated instructions/usage through slow 56kps dial ups or mobile phones.

Connecting the entire nationConnecting the entire nation <=><=>

…….. ……..to close the digital divides ……………to close the digital divides …………… To bridge the digital divides, current efforts have been to lay out To bridge the digital divides, current efforts have been to lay out

broadband services to rural areas. broadband services to rural areas. Please consider these issues:-Please consider these issues:-

1. It takes time and lots of money to do so.1. It takes time and lots of money to do so.2. Financial tsunami is coming… can we afford it? 2. Financial tsunami is coming… can we afford it? 3. Even if money is available, it still takes a long time to do it.3. Even if money is available, it still takes a long time to do it.4. Even if the broadband is laid out successfully, can it really work 4. Even if the broadband is laid out successfully, can it really work for nationwide ICT in education? for nationwide ICT in education?

- What would happen, if the whole country logs in at exactly 8 a.m. ?- What would happen, if the whole country logs in at exactly 8 a.m. ?

- Will the server freeze? Like in the case of a DDOS attack?- Will the server freeze? Like in the case of a DDOS attack?

So while you are hoping for the So while you are hoping for the “broadband solution”“broadband solution”, the , the unconnected unconnected remains unconnectedremains unconnected for a long time… even if you for a long time… even if you have the money.have the money.

The missing link in ICT in mass The missing link in ICT in mass Education Education – local and globally – local and globally

Reasons for problems in adoption of ICT in Mass Education to reach out to everyone – rural and urban.

1. Paper - universal – everybody

2. MISSING LINK - AGE - animated multimedia – not so rich but relevant - AGE provides that link but requires computers That allows all electronic media of transmission Diskettes, pen drives, CDs, dial ups, broadband, mobile phones, satellites

3. CDs/DVDs limited to reachable areas - very rich big sized

4. Flash/Java limited to broadband areas – smaller and nice

AGE complements all other platforms and do not replace any Every platform has its usefulness and strengths

Practical Tech Not High TechPractical Tech Not High Tech

Quote:"In my nearly 14 years of writing about information and communications technology (ICT), I have never come across an ICT company which adopted as sensible and common sense approach to technology“ unquote                 Surf Malaysia magazine September, 2008Charles F Moreira  Senior WriterMobile World see article

What AGE does.What AGE does.1.1. Easy availability of Contents to allEasy availability of Contents to all

Digital communities

AGE solves this problem.

It makes it easy to reach anyone, anywhere, anytime and in the mostdifficult situations. AGE modules are so small that it takes seconds ofdownloads for hours of usage through a slow dial up or mobile phone!

2. 2. Empowering teachers to the next level.Empowering teachers to the next level.

To empower teachers from Paper / blackboard to ---> Digital Classrooms

---> Digital Tutorials and Homework

Entire homework cycle video => generate contents => students use =>collate

answers = > into Spreadsheets. All paperless for free and instantly !

Try Authorware, Directors etc are too expensiveWe don’t think teachers can afford up to US$3,000/station AGE – US$50-00 per year, given free to schools. Specially made for simple use for any teacher

3. 3. Paperless Homework for Paperless Homework for a greener worlda greener world

1 child go paperless is nothing

1 million children going paperless is significant ( Uplifts teachers to the next level for FREE ).

5 million children.. That is awesome!

School bag of the future All homework papers

School bag of tomorrow.

5 years of contents !

4. Nationwide data collation of students’ 4. Nationwide data collation of students’ performances made easy.performances made easy.

Entire homework cycle video

=> generate contents => students use =>collate answers = > into Spreadsheets. All students’ performance data collected are in digital spreadsheets instantly !

Millions of children’s score sheets is now available anytime and anywhere

This allows teachers to collate the data into Spreadsheets.

This electronic spreadsheets’ data in turn be centralised and analysed by the State or central headquarters .

This powerful capabilities allow the country to take corrective measures to students’ strengths and weaknesses for the ENTIRE COUNTRY!

What we have done so far.... What we have done so far.... Contents listContents list

Preschools – multi languages Preschools – multi languages Chinese, Malay and English Chinese, Malay and English Primary schools UPSR Primary schools UPSR English revisions/tutorials/model testsEnglish revisions/tutorials/model tests Lower Secondary PMRLower Secondary PMR English tutorials/model testsEnglish tutorials/model tests Chinese MandarinChinese Mandarin basic hanyu pinyin tutorials for International basic hanyu pinyin tutorials for International

students, basic conversation and words. Primary schools exercises students, basic conversation and words. Primary schools exercises Additional MathsAdditional Maths SPM Tutorials/model tests Forms4/5 O levelsSPM Tutorials/model tests Forms4/5 O levels > 400 E-books> 400 E-books- - instant home libraryinstant home library

Aesops' fables, children stories, Novels, Sci-fi, Poems, Plays, Aesops' fables, children stories, Novels, Sci-fi, Poems, Plays, Adventure stories, Short stories, Miscellaneous stories.Adventure stories, Short stories, Miscellaneous stories.

Plus many more to comePlus many more to come ! !

The ProofsThe Proofs - Running AGE modules - Running AGE modules......Seconds of downloads hours of usage – small sized filesSeconds of downloads hours of usage – small sized files

Can mix AGE with other platformsCan mix AGE with other platformse.g. with Power point , browser etce.g. with Power point , browser etc

Note: if you want to run AGE here, you must first have installed AGE tools to the computer. For Note: if you want to run AGE here, you must first have installed AGE tools to the computer. For convenience run videos.convenience run videos.

4 stroke engines4 stroke enginesRun 4 strokes engineRun 4 strokes engine in using AGE in using AGE (73k)(73k) See folderSee folder <=<= only if AGE has been installedonly if AGE has been installed

Additional Mathematics O level Additional Mathematics O level videovideoRun AGE- additional Maths Run AGE- additional Maths see foldersee folder <= only if AGE has been installed<= only if AGE has been installed

Learn Chinese with sound and interactions Learn Chinese with sound and interactions videovideo Run AGE- Chinese sampleRun AGE- Chinese sample See folderSee folder <=<= only if AGE has been installedonly if AGE has been installed

Learning EnglishLearning English through Anti-smoking campaign through Anti-smoking campaign video video ((or anti-drug, anti-AIDs?)or anti-drug, anti-AIDs?)Run Anti-smoking moduleRun Anti-smoking module See FolderSee Folder <=<= only if AGE has been installedonly if AGE has been installed

Create instant Digital HomeworkCreate instant Digital Homework ( 3 minutes or less)( 3 minutes or less) videovideo Run in AGERun in AGE <=<= only if AGE has been installedonly if AGE has been installed

Display non AGE high resolution graphics in Display non AGE high resolution graphics in

power point or in standard IE browser power point or in standard IE browser ===> ===> User can then mix AGE with these platforms. User can then mix AGE with these platforms. This PowerPoint page is about 300Kbytes. This PowerPoint page is about 300Kbytes. Compare AGE’s much more info - only 73Kbytes Compare AGE’s much more info - only 73Kbytes

Other Other freefree software included software included All links here are valid only if the software had been installed firstAll links here are valid only if the software had been installed first

FreeFree Wordweb dictionary Wordweb dictionary Very useful when looking up for words. Beats any Very useful when looking up for words. Beats any paperbased dictionaries. paperbased dictionaries. Run Wordweb Run Wordweb (valid if installed)(valid if installed)

Speakonia – Text to speech software Speakonia – Text to speech software This assists students how to pronounce any word...based This assists students how to pronounce any word...based on Microsoft Speech engine. on Microsoft Speech engine. Speakonia Text-to-speechSpeakonia Text-to-speech

Irfanview graphic programsIrfanview graphic programsfor teachers to convert and maintain their graphics.for teachers to convert and maintain their graphics.

AGE text based Dictionaries/translators AGE text based Dictionaries/translators English, English<Malay, English<Malay>Chinese with English, English<Malay, English<Malay>Chinese with sound support. Scientific terms for Malay<>English plus sound support. Scientific terms for Malay<>English plus many more to …………come. many more to …………come. Run AGE dictionaryRun AGE dictionary

Support materials provided Support materials provided freefree for teachers for teachers

Extra supporting materials Extra supporting materials continuously supplied free for registered continuously supplied free for registered teachers/users!teachers/users!

Thousands of Graphics Thousands of Graphics TemplatesTemplates Background patternsBackground patterns

for easy creation of modules.for easy creation of modules.

AGE can reach out to all under AGE can reach out to all under the most extreme conditionsthe most extreme conditions

Zone 1 – Zone 1 – a. a. urban and suburban with broadbandurban and suburban with broadband most systems catering to this category only.most systems catering to this category only.

b. urban and suburban without broadband b. urban and suburban without broadband

Zone 2 - Zone 2 - rural with dial ups with direct land linerural with dial ups with direct land line

Zone 3 - Zone 3 - rural with satellite links withrural with satellite links with electricity electricity

Zone 4 – Zone 4 – rural no links and electricity near to telecenterrural no links and electricity near to telecenterUsing a pen drive students copy contents from telecenter and return to villageUsing a pen drive students copy contents from telecenter and return to village

Zone 5 - Zone 5 - rural areas without any link or electricity (middlerural areas without any link or electricity (middleof nowhere but within postal service)of nowhere but within postal service)

Zone 1 to 3 … Zone 1 to 3 … AGE easily reachAGE easily reach Zone 4 and 5. Zone 4 and 5. Use a simple pen drive to deliver entire year’s contents. No need to access real time. Use solar power with Use a simple pen drive to deliver entire year’s contents. No need to access real time. Use solar power with

ULPC (ultra low cost PCs). 1 pen drive can contain the entire requirements from standard to Form 5. No running cost.ULPC (ultra low cost PCs). 1 pen drive can contain the entire requirements from standard to Form 5. No running cost.

How AGE helps out of reachHow AGE helps out of reach TelecentersTelecenters`̀ Currently Telecenters with slow satellite links or dial up links cannot get Currently Telecenters with slow satellite links or dial up links cannot get

access to good multimedia contents access to good multimedia contents Good for emails or general browsingGood for emails or general browsingTime based would cost moneyTime based would cost money

With With AGEAGE, people can come to telecenters, study or access other , people can come to telecenters, study or access other facitilies good interactive multimedia modules that are designed for facitilies good interactive multimedia modules that are designed for Malaysians. Malaysians. When time is up they can take the entire contents good enough for 1 or When time is up they can take the entire contents good enough for 1 or more years home.more years home.

A thumb drive is all that is needed to take contents to and from tele-A thumb drive is all that is needed to take contents to and from tele-centerscenters. .

How AGE helps TelecentersHow AGE helps Telecenters`̀ Currently people come to telecenters to study or Currently people come to telecenters to study or

access to other facilities. access to other facilities. When time is up they go home. When time is up they go home.

With With AGEAGE, people can come to telecenters, , people can come to telecenters, study or access other facitilies. study or access other facitilies. When time is up they can take the entire When time is up they can take the entire contents good enough for 1 or more years home.contents good enough for 1 or more years home.

A thumb drive is all that is needed. A thumb drive is all that is needed.

Allows easy analysis of Allows easy analysis of students’ score datastudents’ score data

AGE AGE allows government to collect very usefulallows government to collect very usefulstudents’ score data.students’ score data.

Collate scores locally and nationallyCollate scores locally and nationally Score sheets of each students all around from the most Score sheets of each students all around from the most remote to well connected city telecenters.remote to well connected city telecenters.

Collate from all telecenters Collate from all telecenters

These can then be easily transferred to HQ for remedial These can then be easily transferred to HQ for remedial steps.steps.

This important capabilities will go a long way to create an This important capabilities will go a long way to create an effective seffective students remedial initiatives.tudents remedial initiatives.

These can be done nationally as often as are neededThese can be done nationally as often as are needed unlike before this has been expensive and slow to do so.unlike before this has been expensive and slow to do so.

What is required to run AGEWhat is required to run AGE

AGE Educator module to read all AGE AGE Educator module to read all AGE modulesmodules

AGE E-workbook generator for teachersAGE E-workbook generator for teachers Old or new PCs .. Cheap ULPCsOld or new PCs .. Cheap ULPCs Cheap solar power …for low powered Cheap solar power …for low powered

ULPC ULPC

Delivery… any way available in the Delivery… any way available in the market. No need broadband. market. No need broadband.

Other countries... Other countries...

Our next stop the world...Our next stop the world...

China , Pakistan, Africa, India, IndonesiaChina , Pakistan, Africa, India, Indonesia

FREE for their schools as well for 1 yearFREE for their schools as well for 1 year ((or more if they contribute to our contents base)or more if they contribute to our contents base)

… all developing countries where the digital … all developing countries where the digital divides are most pronounced divides are most pronounced

Collaborative activitiesCollaborative activities

With Microsoft Malaysia Using AGE contents for their refurbishedcomputers installed with WinXPs special package for our armed forces personnel earning less than RM1,500 per month.

Where AGE would be standard content installed… PCs Pentium 4 refurbished to International stdWin XP Pro, Microsoft office 2003 After Malaysia, project Asia Pacific countries

Looking for international partners… Looking for international partners…

China Bangladesh

Pakistan Nigeria

Meetings with Embassies and High Meetings with Embassies and High Commission officials Commission officials of different countriesof different countries

Azerbaijan Bangladesh

India Sri Lanka

Meetings with Embassies and High Meetings with Embassies and High Commission officials Commission officials of different countriesof different countries

Swaziland Tanzania

Ghana Fiji

Development of contents for Development of contents for Malaysian SchoolsMalaysian Schools

We are currently inviting partners We are currently inviting partners to to develop more contentsdevelop more contents for local for local schoolsschools

Other modules and subjectsOther modules and subjects besides besides what we already have are to be what we already have are to be developed and distributed for free or developed and distributed for free or salesale

Modules developed may also be Modules developed may also be sold sold globallyglobally to our other partners in other to our other partners in other countries. countries.

Systems requirements for AGESystems requirements for AGE

AGE runs on AGE runs on WinXPs and below. WinXPs and below. (Vista not supported) (Vista not supported)

Hardware: Hardware: PC486 or abovePC486 or aboveIdeal will be Ultra Low Cost PCs (ULPCs)Ideal will be Ultra Low Cost PCs (ULPCs)running WinXPsrunning WinXPs

Runs under DOS/Windows environments. Runs under DOS/Windows environments.

Vista/Windows 7 or Linux versionVista/Windows 7 or Linux versionexpected to be released in mid 2010expected to be released in mid 2010

For more developments...For more developments...

Log in to our web site and find more about our developments....

www.paperlesshomework.com

Help us spread the word and raise money for your school or charity or yourself while doing it! Contact me for 1 to 1 talk.Email: paperlesshomework@yahoo.com

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