Free PCs for Learning Pods

We are happy to partner with educational NGOs who want to use technology to help children become self-directed learners by setting up community-based learning centers.

You will need to provide the safe space, the staff and the students, and we will provide the PCs in partnership with Selligion. This is how it works.

Please pitch to me as to why you are the right partners for setting up a learning pod. We are looking for NGOs who are trusted by the community because you have been around for 2-3 years, and have been providing a valuable service. My email is malpani@malpaniventures.com

Once we agree to go ahead, Selligion Technologies ( www.selligion.com) will deliver the PCs.

Selligion Praho will provide a computer along with wireless keyboard and mouse, monitor, speaker/headphone and webcam .

Dr Aniruddha Malpani will pay for and finance the subscription for your PC for 12 months . After this ends, we can extend the subscription duration, or get the devices picked up, to be redeployed to other users. The devices also get picked up in case they aren’t being used and remain idle.

You need to do the following

Ensure that the computers are used for educational purposes in the community. It’s fine if kids watch videos and play games on them – learning is unstructured.
Ensure that the computers are utilized for at least 4 hours a week per machine.
Ensure the physical safety of the devices – so that they can be picked up at the end of the subscription period and redeployed to other deserving users.
Ensure that the learning and educational journey of your students is shared publicly on a website you create for the pod, so we can all learn together.
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Steps before Selligion delivers the computers:

1.) We do a video call to see the designated place, where we plan to deploy the computers. We are looking to verify the following:
Availability of an internet connection (Generally speaking, 3 Mbps internet speed can support up to 10 students using a computer simultaneously over Wi-Fi).
Availability of 2 electrical sockets/plug points per computer (Extension cords will work as well)
A stable horizontal surface like a table to safely rest the monitor and the computers – each device in general requires at least 2 sq feet of horizontal space.
Seating for users in front of the computers.
The person running the POD on a day to day, having basic understanding of computer use – should be able to connect wires and switch on the device, send emails with attachments, share pictures and videos, attend live video calls independently.
2.) We do a basic KYC for you, and the POD.
3.) On a final go ahead from Dr. Aniruddha Malpani, we ship the devices to the designated address. It generally takes 2-3 days for the devices to arrive.

Some FAQs

1. Is it mandatory for an entrepreneur to have basic knowledge or a degree in computers?
No. The entrepreneur just needs to be an adult who wants to help children learn
2. Can a pod be run by 2 or more entrepreneurs together?
Yes
3. Will any impact assessment be taken to know the learning of the children? If yes then what would be its method and who would do it?
This is optional, and will depend on the entrepreneur ! It’s a good idea to show parents their kids are doing better in school thanks to ApniPathshala as this will inspire more parents to send their kids
4. If the entrepreneur needs any kind of technical support then whom can she connect with?
Please reach out to us !
5. If there is any damage to the computer system in any way, then who will have to compensate for it?
We need adult supervision to ensure the system is not abused, that is all
6. Can we charge for the ApniPathshala services ?
We would encourage you to do so. This ensures parents have skin in the game. Free services are often not valued simply because they are free. You can offer scholarships to deserving students at your discretion.
7. Do we have to follow a curriculum ?
This is upto you. You can provide a blend of structured learning, mapped to what the kid is learning in school; but give them the freedom to explore what interests them
8. Can they play video games ? Watch YouTube videos ?
Yes, of course. Learning should be fun, and they should look forward to coming to the class. Combine games with studies if you so desire.
9. Will you pay for the rental for the space ? Will you pay for staff salaries ?
No, we will not – we want you to be self-sufficient and take the initiative to raise funds for this yourself. We don’t want to create unnecessary dependence on external funding – we want you to stand on your own feet because you are providing a service the parents value

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Why so much process and scrutiny?
More than 92% of Indian households with a school going child, have no access to a computer. Our attempt is to simply make computers available to most students – hoping that many among them receive the gift of opportunities, otherwise unavailable to them.

We have limited inventory and resources. We want these computers thus to be used to the most of their potential – impacting as many lives as possible. These computers are costly devices, given out to users on a small subscription fee – we thus need these computers to remain safe and usable for future users as well.

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Hope this provides you with more clarity on our operation and work – and aligns us on the same page. Please do feel free to write back or call anytime for more clarity or any other issue. My email is malpani@malpaniventures.com !

We’re excited to partner with you and hope to see a positive difference in your local community because of this endeavour.