Simputer as a platform for ICT education in Tanzania

Abstract

The global information society is evolving at breakneck speed but developing countries are left behind. The technology of Simputer, simple hand-held computer, has been developed to bridge the digital divide. We developed a programming tutorial on the Simputer platform and tested the learning environment in a Tanzanian context. An analysis of the students' feedback shows the feasibility of Simputer as a learning platform, and a technical comparison with competing technologies indicates the potential of Simputer in developing countries. A possible future application of Simputer is HIV/AIDS education for rural schools and villages.