An interesting, very brief article from Technology Review (May 2006, Vol 109(2) p 21-22) entitled Beaming Books. The abstract, from Academic Search Premier:
This article discusses a project of a Swiss foundation called BioVision to promote the use of handheld computers at schools around the globe in 2006. At the Mbita Point primary school on the Kenya-Uganda border, the foundation installed a satellite receiver at the school, gave out handheld computers running Linux-based software, and downloaded up-to-date curricula from the Kenyan education ministry. BioVision says this approach is far cheaper than buying books every year. BioVision has passed the project, called EduVision, on to a venture capital firm called Bridgeworks, which hopes to turn it into a self-sustaining business.
There are two ways (at least) to think of distance students – the individuals in the wilderness, and those who’s countries or regions (Outback, Great White North) are in the technological wilderness. This project could certainly help those in the latter…
If you have Academic Search Premier, this link should take you right to the article.
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