Introduction
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people had to change how they worked and studied by doing everything from home. Remote learning and working were necessary because schools and offices were closed.
Everyone required the appropriate tools, software, and methodologies to make this work. Unfortunately, not everyone had a reliable computer at home, which made it impossible for many to complete their education and profession.
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Addressing the Remote Learning Challenge
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, nursing schools in Kenya and Malawi worked hard to give their students remote learning options. Wisenet (division of Adapt IT), a company that provides education software and has offices across Africa, stepped in to help.
They partnered with the Medical Benevolence Foundation (MBF) to offer online courses for 2,500 nursing and midwifery students using the Moodle learning platform.
Although teachers were happy with the new platform and how it let them create and customize course content, they found out that some students didn’t have the right equipment to access the material at home.
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Providing Raspberry Pi 400 for Enhanced Online Learning
Wisenet started donating Raspberry Pi 400 desktop computers to nursing colleges supported by MBF so students could use them for online learning.
With the Raspberry Pi 400, students can access remote learning materials and perform general computing tasks. To help even more students, Wisenet promised to match donations of Raspberry Pi 400 from their customers and other organizations.
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Why Raspberry Pi 400 is the Perfect Choice for Students
For many, it’s their only computer, and it gives them a full desktop experience that is easy to set up and use. It features a powerful processor, USB 3.0 connections, and 4GB of RAM, all housed in a keyboard.
Students can get everything operating without fuss, allowing them to concentrate on learning.
Due to its affordability and portability, it helps students access online resources and course materials easily. The Raspberry Pi OS is free and user-friendly, making studying simple.
The improved Chromium web browser lets students use web-based resources and important apps like Gmail and Zoom without any problems. This really helps make remote learning easier for everyone!
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The Impact of Raspberry Pi 400 on Learning
Students are now using Raspberry Pi 400 computers to take virtual classes, access study materials, and communicate with tutors and classmates in online forums. This simple access allows them to acquire the assistance they require for their studies.
The benefits go beyond just studying at home; some of these computers are also used in schools to offer more in-service training opportunities.
Wisenet is happy to collaborate with the Medical Benevolence Foundation (MBF) and the schools. Ben Hamilton, the CEO and co-founder, shares, “We know these devices will help learners reach new heights. Having access to this technology allows the schools to do amazing things.”
Lisa Alianiello, Director of the Centre for Global Nursing Development, is leading the MBF initiative. She continues, "Our collaboration with Wisenet enables professors and students to access the most up-to-date nursing education resources. This means new nursing graduates are ready to deliver essential medical care in their communities.”
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Source: "Kenya and Malawi nursing schools". https://www.raspberrypi.com/success-stories/kenya-and-malawi-nursing-schools/ . Raspberry Pi, Accessed 30 September 2024.
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Conclusion
The Raspberry Pi 400 computers helped nursing and midwifery students in Kenya and Malawi throughout the pandemic. With the help of Wisenet and the Medical Benevolence Foundation, these compact computers enable students to learn online, attend classes, and access study materials from home.
This support is important because it helps them get ready for important jobs in healthcare. It's inspiring to see how Wisenet, MBF, and the nursing schools worked together to show that technology can improve education, even in hard times.
It reminds us how important community support is in helping students continue learning and become the skilled healthcare workers their communities need.
