MSS for Social Change & Impact

Social interest groups and corporates value supporting education. They constantly strive to find the best ways to engage and make a positive social impact.

Common social interventions

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Teacher Training
Nutrition - Fruits and Milk
Nutrition
null
Teaching aids
null
Technology
null
Scholarships
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Infrastructure

However, it is not usually clear if these interventions are improving learning outcomes sustainably or at scale.

One promising area for social impact is education technology infrastructure, which enables minimally invasive yet effective learning in classrooms. And within this an area that needs urgent attention is computer literacy infrastructure and instructions.

Herein you shall see how the My sCool Server can be deployed to drive a deep and positive socio-economic change.

Some startling facts

The Solution

My sCool Server, the flagship product from Recherche Tech LLP is a single device, primarily for school labs, that makes all computers (even disk-less) in the wired network usable and useful instantly.

My sCool Server device image

Children we serve

Our solution serves children across the social strata and primarily those studying in schools that cater to the lower income group. We have positively impacted lives of over 6000 students and several teachers at 50+ schools since early 2017. It involved fixing and enhancing their school’s computer laboratories and enabling interactive smart classrooms with the My sCool Server (MSS). This provided them equal access to technology and digital learning that they rightfully deserve.

We have succeeded in removing the state of despondency wherein the students, teachers and schools had lost complete hope over the possibility of quality computer education or ICT based education.

It has now been replaced with real learning and forward thinking.

Our action area

  • MSS deployed in 50+ schools in India and counting
  • Gujarat, West Bengal, Haryana, Himachal and ready for anywhere in India
  • Pipeline of 20+ schools that are awaiting funding for MSS deployment
Click to view the waiting list.
chipa-student

Students working on computers powered by the MSS at Chhipa Welfare Girls High School, Jamalpur, Ahmedabad

Models of working with social impact partners

Our solution has been well designed keeping in mind the National policy for ICT in education and the National Curriculum Framework, India. And it can be tailored for most specific needs of schools.

I. Re-using existing ICT investments already present at schools

There are millions of computers collecting dust in schools across Gujarat and possibly in other parts of India as well. The computers were deployed by the government or donated by corporates with the noble intent of providing access to computers and enabling digital literacy. Unfortunately, the goals have not been met and with the previous approaches and these devices are lying idle and deteriorating overtime. On the upside, most of the computers deployed after 2010 are still usable and can work perfectly with the MSS.

We work with CSR programs and foundations to rekindle these labs. They are made completely functional, ready for pedagogical delivery and self-sustainable with the help of the My sCool Server.

How it works:

  1. You select the school(s) which have an existing lab. We can help you with our pipeline of those in-waiting.
  2. We assess the existing infrastructure and provide an estimate of what is needed to have it ready for the My sCool Server deployment.
  3. We deploy the My sCool Server and supporting infrastructure.
  4. We train teachers about the minimal required upkeep of the computing environment and introduction to all the learning content deployed.
  5. Students learn and you get the data on the results from periodic digital assessments and usage metrics.

Gov. Higher Sec. School Bavaliyari, Dhandhuka, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, school lab rejuvenated with the My sCool Server

Investment range:

One time INR 70,000 – 90,000 per school. Specifics vary for each implementation.

II. Setup new labs in government schools where there is no useful hardware

With the My sCool Server solution it is possible to deploy a new lab or enhance/upgrade an existing one very cost effectively. The MSS is capable of powering a complete computer lab of up to 70 systems with very low specification systems.

Millions of computers from government and corporate offices are finding their way to becoming e-waste. Several computers deployed at schools in the period 2003-2009 have reached their end-of-life. Some of the schools just have 5 computers which is insufficient to satisfy the computer literacy objectives. They need to be replaced or more need to be added.

How it works:

  1. You select the school(s) which have an existing lab or are in need of one. We can help you with our pipeline of those in-waiting.
  2. We inspect the chosen schools’ for their readiness for a computer lab or inspect its existing setup in case of a need to scale. This shall enable us to provide a cost estimate to bring it to a state of readiness for the My sCool Server.
  3. We deploy the computer systems, networking and My sCool Server with the computer learning content.
  4. We train teachers about the minimal required upkeep of the computing environment and introduction to all the self-paced learning content deployed.
  5. Students learn and you get the data on the results from digital periodic assessments and usage metrics.

Investment range:

One time INR 3,70,000 approx per school for a fully equipped (educational content, networking and power backup incl.) 20 computer lab. Specifics vary for each implementation.

Click for list of new computer lab projects delivered

III. Power up interactive smart classrooms

In addition to a computer lab, the My sCool Server can power up multiple smart classrooms with great ease. This facilitates the one-to-many pedagogical delivery model.

Extend a LAN connection from the My sCool Server to each classroom and pair it with a client node (a computer with Intel Celeron, 2 GB RAM, w/o HDD) connected to a projector, white-wall / screen, and an inexpensive graphics tablet + stylus and we have a perfectly working smart class infrastructure.

The cost of this infrastructure is at least 20% cheaper compared to any other interactive smart class solution available.The MSS also supports certain third-party legacy interactivity solutions already deployed in several public schools across Gujarat.

How it works:

  1. You select the schools which have a need of smart classroom(s). We can help you with our pipeline of those in-waiting.
  2. We jointly inspect the chosen schools’ for their readiness in terms of willingness and readiness of staff to operate the infrastructure once deployed and trained. We also assess readiness in terms of the school’s access to smart pedagogical content that they can use with the newly deployed infrastructure. The later is most crucial because infrastructure alone is of no use.
  3. The My sCool Server is deployed along with the interactive smart class infrastructure comprising of client computer node, requisite networking, projector, graphics tablet + stylus for interactivity.
  4. The teachers are trained about the minimal required upkeep of the computing environment, about operating the smart class and are introduced to the preloaded software and contents.
  5. Students learn and you get the data on the results from digital periodic assessments and usage metrics.

A playlist depicting the native interactive smart class feature of the MSS and how the MSS also facilitates self-paced learning on tablets.

Investment range:

First smart class at a school can be deployed for approximately INR 1,30,000 and each subsequent classroom for INR 70,000. Specifics vary for each implementation.

Click for list of smart classroom projects delivered

Benefits

Herein are some of the direct benefits that a school with the My sCool Server experiences:

plug-play-csr

Plug ‘n play

better-control-csr

Better control

save-funds-csr

Save funds

student-system-csr

Student:System  1:1

home-csr

Practise at home

minimise-upgrade-cost-csr

Minimise upgrade cost

facilitate-training-csr

Facilitate self training

minimal-dependency-csr

Minimal dependency

no-piracy-csr

No piracy

os-csr

Access from any OS

strong-foundation-csr

Strong foundation

future-advancement-csr

Future advancements

Impact

The My sCool Server helps achieve the 4 Es that are most essential to help solving the global learning crisis

  1. Donors support education in a way that’s impactful, sustainable and replicable.
  2. Robust learning environment, clubbed with self-paced learning content requiring low or no maintenance ensures a consistent and convenient experience each time.
  3. Single device, one time deployment ensures repeated and multi-factor impact by serving all current and future batches of students.
  4. The open source ecosystem on which the computer curriculum is based fosters a global community culture of creativity while sharing.
  5. Managing interactive smart classrooms without the hassle of maintaining individual PCs, central storage of pedagogical content flattens the learning curve for teachers. Thus facilitating rapid adoption.
  6. A pan-India appeal and due to its local language support, holds promise of far reaching impact irrespective of the geographical location.


School representatives explaining how the My sCool Server has impacted them

Sustainability

  1. Low or no dependency on donor: It is a one time deployment cost with a low 10-15% AMC cost which may be easily budgeted by the school from the 2nd year.
  2. Delivery model is inherently sustainable: It is a well packaged, simple product that requires minimal training to get started with.
  3. Brand visibility: Branding of the MSS is possible with supporting sponsor’s identifiers. All stakeholders shall recall the donor’s contribution.

 

Replicability

  1. Integrated technology platform enables scaled delivery at low cost.
  2. Minimal teacher training and school deployment support are structured, require low skill and are scalable processes.
  3. Donor investments can be flexibly sized to serve varying models at one school or many.
Is there a minimum scale of each project undertaken?

It could be a single school or a group of schools. We are happy to be part of a positive impact at any possible scale.

However, if it requires integrating a new regional language onto the MSS, we mandate a minimum deployment of 10 units to make it a financially sustainable effort for us. Send in an enquiry to check for your language of interest.

Is there a qualifying criterion for an intervention to be applied to a school?

A genuine and demonstrable willingness of teachers and the school administration to impart the best possible education to their cadres. It is highly encouraging for us to apply the MSS intervention if the sponsor has already seen results of their previous interventions.

A mandatory criterion is a minimum of one, preferably two, in-house teacher(s) or representatives from volunteer/sponsor organisations who are willing to own and lead the implementation.

What is the duration of implementation at each school?

It usually takes 2 weeks from need assessment to user training. Our standard intervention program includes school visits by our representative for up to 3 months post-deployment. The visits are scheduled at a reducing frequency so as to ensure proper usage and impact and yet not interfere with the normal schedule of the school.

Is it possible to load custom content available from the state education department?

Yes, the My sCool Server can serve any content that can be hosted on the Linux platform. If you are unsure about its “Linux compatibility”, our technical teams help you with the assessment if you can provide us the content samples.

However, we rely on the sponsors and/or the school to secure access to the educational content from the state agencies.

Why is there a price range instead of fixed price for the proposed interventions?

Each educational institution in the public space is a special case with varying requirements. We strive towards maximum reuse of existing facilities and human capital. Since there is bound to be a variance in the cost for each deployment, do consider the price ranges given as indicative only. Final quote for each project is provided after an initial need assessment.

How can we get started?

Click here to download a PDF version of the Smart Education Infrastructure Provisioning Concept Note

Submit a short summary of your organisation via the contact form and our representative shall get in touch with you within 48 working hours.

For further queries, you may visit our knowledge base or reach out to us via any of the support channels.

Who we serve

Children we serve

Our solution serves children across the social strata and primarily those studying in schools that cater to the lower income group. We have positively impacted lives of over 6000 students and several teachers at 50+ schools since early 2017. It involved fixing and enhancing their school’s computer laboratories and enabling interactive smart classrooms with the My sCool Server (MSS). This provided them equal access to technology and digital learning that they rightfully deserve.

We have succeeded in removing the state of despondency wherein the students, teachers and schools had lost complete hope over the possibility of quality computer education or ICT based education.

It has now been replaced with real learning and forward thinking.

Our action area

  • MSS deployed in 50+ schools in India and counting
  • Gujarat, West Bengal, Haryana, Himachal and ready for anywhere in India
  • Pipeline of 20+ schools that are awaiting funding for MSS deployment
Click to view the waiting list.
chipa-student

Students working on computers powered by the MSS at Chhipa Welfare Girls High School, Jamalpur, Ahmedabad

How we work together

Models of working with social impact partners

Our solution has been well designed keeping in mind the National policy for ICT in education and the National Curriculum Framework, India. And it can be tailored for most specific needs of schools.

I. Re-using existing ICT investments already present at schools

There are millions of computers collecting dust in schools across Gujarat and possibly in other parts of India as well. The computers were deployed by the government or donated by corporates with the noble intent of providing access to computers and enabling digital literacy. Unfortunately, the goals have not been met and with the previous approaches and these devices are lying idle and deteriorating overtime. On the upside, most of the computers deployed after 2010 are still usable and can work perfectly with the MSS.

We work with CSR programs and foundations to rekindle these labs. They are made completely functional, ready for pedagogical delivery and self-sustainable with the help of the My sCool Server.

How it works:

  1. You select the school(s) which have an existing lab. We can help you with our pipeline of those in-waiting.
  2. We assess the existing infrastructure and provide an estimate of what is needed to have it ready for the My sCool Server deployment.
  3. We deploy the My sCool Server and supporting infrastructure.
  4. We train teachers about the minimal required upkeep of the computing environment and introduction to all the learning content deployed.
  5. Students learn and you get the data on the results from periodic digital assessments and usage metrics.

Gov. Higher Sec. School Bavaliyari, Dhandhuka, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, school lab rejuvenated with the My sCool Server

Investment range:

One time INR 70,000 – 90,000 per school. Specifics vary for each implementation.

II. Setup new labs in government schools where there is no useful hardware

With the My sCool Server solution it is possible to deploy a new lab or enhance/upgrade an existing one very cost effectively. The MSS is capable of powering a complete computer lab of up to 70 systems with very low specification systems.

Millions of computers from government and corporate offices are finding their way to becoming e-waste. Several computers deployed at schools in the period 2003-2009 have reached their end-of-life. Some of the schools just have 5 computers which is insufficient to satisfy the computer literacy objectives. They need to be replaced or more need to be added.

How it works:

  1. You select the school(s) which have an existing lab or are in need of one. We can help you with our pipeline of those in-waiting.
  2. We inspect the chosen schools’ for their readiness for a computer lab or inspect its existing setup in case of a need to scale. This shall enable us to provide a cost estimate to bring it to a state of readiness for the My sCool Server.
  3. We deploy the computer systems, networking and My sCool Server with the computer learning content.
  4. We train teachers about the minimal required upkeep of the computing environment and introduction to all the self-paced learning content deployed.
  5. Students learn and you get the data on the results from digital periodic assessments and usage metrics.

Investment range:

One time INR 3,70,000 approx per school for a fully equipped (educational content, networking and power backup incl.) 20 computer lab. Specifics vary for each implementation.

Click for list of new computer lab projects delivered

III. Power up interactive smart classrooms

In addition to a computer lab, the My sCool Server can power up multiple smart classrooms with great ease. This facilitates the one-to-many pedagogical delivery model.

Extend a LAN connection from the My sCool Server to each classroom and pair it with a client node (a computer with Intel Celeron, 2 GB RAM, w/o HDD) connected to a projector, white-wall / screen, and an inexpensive graphics tablet + stylus and we have a perfectly working smart class infrastructure.

The cost of this infrastructure is at least 20% cheaper compared to any other interactive smart class solution available.The MSS also supports certain third-party legacy interactivity solutions already deployed in several public schools across Gujarat.

How it works:

  1. You select the schools which have a need of smart classroom(s). We can help you with our pipeline of those in-waiting.
  2. We jointly inspect the chosen schools’ for their readiness in terms of willingness and readiness of staff to operate the infrastructure once deployed and trained. We also assess readiness in terms of the school’s access to smart pedagogical content that they can use with the newly deployed infrastructure. The later is most crucial because infrastructure alone is of no use.
  3. The My sCool Server is deployed along with the interactive smart class infrastructure comprising of client computer node, requisite networking, projector, graphics tablet + stylus for interactivity.
  4. The teachers are trained about the minimal required upkeep of the computing environment, about operating the smart class and are introduced to the preloaded software and contents.
  5. Students learn and you get the data on the results from digital periodic assessments and usage metrics.

A playlist depicting the native interactive smart class feature of the MSS and how the MSS also facilitates self-paced learning on tablets.

Investment range:

First smart class at a school can be deployed for approximately INR 1,30,000 and each subsequent classroom for INR 70,000. Specifics vary for each implementation.

Click for list of smart classroom projects delivered
Benefits and Impact

Benefits

Herein are some of the direct benefits that a school with the My sCool Server experiences:

plug-play-csr

Plug ‘n play

better-control-csr

Better control

save-funds-csr

Save funds

student-system-csr

Student:System  1:1

home-csr

Practise at home

minimise-upgrade-cost-csr

Minimise upgrade cost

facilitate-training-csr

Facilitate self training

minimal-dependency-csr

Minimal dependency

no-piracy-csr

No piracy

os-csr

Access from any OS

strong-foundation-csr

Strong foundation

future-advancement-csr

Future advancements

Impact

The My sCool Server helps achieve the 4 Es that are most essential to help solving the global learning crisis

  1. Donors support education in a way that’s impactful, sustainable and replicable.
  2. Robust learning environment, clubbed with self-paced learning content requiring low or no maintenance ensures a consistent and convenient experience each time.
  3. Single device, one time deployment ensures repeated and multi-factor impact by serving all current and future batches of students.
  4. The open source ecosystem on which the computer curriculum is based fosters a global community culture of creativity while sharing.
  5. Managing interactive smart classrooms without the hassle of maintaining individual PCs, central storage of pedagogical content flattens the learning curve for teachers. Thus facilitating rapid adoption.
  6. A pan-India appeal and due to its local language support, holds promise of far reaching impact irrespective of the geographical location.


School representatives explaining how the My sCool Server has impacted them

Sustainability and Replicability

Sustainability

  1. Low or no dependency on donor: It is a one time deployment cost with a low 10-15% AMC cost which may be easily budgeted by the school from the 2nd year.
  2. Delivery model is inherently sustainable: It is a well packaged, simple product that requires minimal training to get started with.
  3. Brand visibility: Branding of the MSS is possible with supporting sponsor’s identifiers. All stakeholders shall recall the donor’s contribution.

 

Replicability

  1. Integrated technology platform enables scaled delivery at low cost.
  2. Minimal teacher training and school deployment support are structured, require low skill and are scalable processes.
  3. Donor investments can be flexibly sized to serve varying models at one school or many.
FAQs
Is there a minimum scale of each project undertaken?

It could be a single school or a group of schools. We are happy to be part of a positive impact at any possible scale.

However, if it requires integrating a new regional language onto the MSS, we mandate a minimum deployment of 10 units to make it a financially sustainable effort for us. Send in an enquiry to check for your language of interest.

Is there a qualifying criterion for an intervention to be applied to a school?

A genuine and demonstrable willingness of teachers and the school administration to impart the best possible education to their cadres. It is highly encouraging for us to apply the MSS intervention if the sponsor has already seen results of their previous interventions.

A mandatory criterion is a minimum of one, preferably two, in-house teacher(s) or representatives from volunteer/sponsor organisations who are willing to own and lead the implementation.

What is the duration of implementation at each school?

It usually takes 2 weeks from need assessment to user training. Our standard intervention program includes school visits by our representative for up to 3 months post-deployment. The visits are scheduled at a reducing frequency so as to ensure proper usage and impact and yet not interfere with the normal schedule of the school.

Is it possible to load custom content available from the state education department?

Yes, the My sCool Server can serve any content that can be hosted on the Linux platform. If you are unsure about its “Linux compatibility”, our technical teams help you with the assessment if you can provide us the content samples.

However, we rely on the sponsors and/or the school to secure access to the educational content from the state agencies.

Why is there a price range instead of fixed price for the proposed interventions?

Each educational institution in the public space is a special case with varying requirements. We strive towards maximum reuse of existing facilities and human capital. Since there is bound to be a variance in the cost for each deployment, do consider the price ranges given as indicative only. Final quote for each project is provided after an initial need assessment.

How can we get started?

Click here to download a PDF version of the Smart Education Infrastructure Provisioning Concept Note

Submit a short summary of your organisation via the contact form and our representative shall get in touch with you within 48 working hours.

For further queries, you may visit our knowledge base or reach out to us via any of the support channels.

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