Discover 3 innovative ways to deliver quality education without electricity—from solar-powered classrooms to portable offline learning kits like The Patatas’ CaseStudy. Learn practical steps schools, NGOs, and communities can take to bring learning to life in off-grid and disaster-prone areas.
Category Archives: Blog
Preschools Without Price Tags: What Happens When a Billionaire Reimagines Learning
Discover how Bezos Academy and CaseStudy are reshaping education—one tuition-free preschool and one portable digital classroom at a time. Two bold ideas. One shared mission: equity, access, and imagination.
Beyond tariffs, trouble and who’s first: How we can build a future that lasts
Tariffs and foreign aid cuts are reshaping the world—especially for students in need. What’s really at stake, and how can we make a lasting difference?
Cracking the code: How remote schools in Australia are harnessing digital engagement for enhanced education
Can gaming be the secret to better STEM learning? Discover how Creative Bytes is transforming education for remote students in Australia—through game-making, offline tech, and a whole lot of creativity.
One instrument, a world of difference: How the gift of a piano is creating educational opportunity in Ethiopia
Education has the power to change lives. Discover the inspiring story of Rodney Naidoo, a dedicated teacher in South Africa, and how innovative solutions like CaseStudy are transforming learning in rural communities. Join us in shaping the future—one student at a time.
Teaching for Tomorrow: How Educators Shape the Future, One Generation at a Time
Education has the power to change lives. Discover the inspiring story of Rodney Naidoo, a dedicated teacher in South Africa, and how innovative solutions like CaseStudy are transforming learning in rural communities. Join us in shaping the future—one student at a time.
From Controversy to Change: The Surprising Ways AI is Helping Rural Communities Thrive
From Controversy to Change: The Surprising Ways AI is Helping Rural Communities Thrive AI is everywhere. From Gemini to Grok, ChatGPT to CoPilot, it seems that every major company is hopping on the AI bandwagon. Image Source: https://kernel-technology.com/ai-research-unveiling-the-power-of-artificial-intelligenceai-research/ This sudden AI escalation has been met with differing responses. On one hand, the techbros have found their …
Mapping and Podcasting: Refugees’ Community Solutions through Tech
Mapping and Podcasting: Refugees’ Community Solutions through Tech In a silent corner of a refugee camp, a small speaker can be heard. The sound of familiar voices fills the air—voices sharing stories, discussing challenges, and brainstorming solutions. Nearby, a group of young people gathers around a laptop, carefully mapping infrastructures onto a map. These are …
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Education in the Everyday: How TV subtitles are increasing literacy in India
Education in the Everyday: How TV subtitles are increasing literacy in India To the average casual Netflix watcher, perhaps the biggest benefit of subtitles is getting to understand what’s going on in the show over your loud snack crunching noises. Source: https://imgur.com/gallery/i-always-have-them-on-yFFuH8F Though we might laugh at this shared experience, what if I told you …
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From Refugee to Revolutionary: Romeo Lomora’s Open Knowledge Initiatives
From Refugee to Revolutionary: Romeo Lomora’s Open Knowledge Initiatives Amid struggle, where hope seems like a distant dream, one person believed in himself — proving that a single initiative can start a chain of change and transform lives We had the special opportunity to talk with Romeo Lomora, a South Sudanese refugee who has become an inspiring leader, helping to bring knowledge and …
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Unseen Wounds: How Virtual Reality Therapy is Transforming Mental Health Support for Refugees
Unseen Wounds: How Virtual Reality Therapy is Transforming Mental Health Support for Refugees Imagine fleeing your home, not knowing if you’ll ever return Egette Indelele, born in a refugee camp in Tanzania, shared her journey of fleeing to a new country. She described how constant bullying and confusion affected her mental health. Egette’s mother and grandmother …
Green Beetz: Revolutionizing Food Education
Green Beetz: Revolutionizing Food Education Green Beetz’s Website We are thrilled to have had the honor of interviewing Kira Cohen-Milo, M.S., a pivotal figure at Green Beetz since 2015. Kira’s career was well-founded by her University of Georgia degree in Biological Science and Horticulture and subsequent degree in Nutrition and Public Health from Columbia University. …
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Do Schools Kill Creativity?
Do Schools Kill Creativity? Children are innately curious and full of imaginative ideas. However, as individuals advance through education, many adults bemoan a loss of this spark. This raises the question of whether schools, which are meant to develop and educate young minds, unintentionally kill creativity. Naturally, children possess an insatiable desire to learn about the …
Online Learning in the Philippines: Ensuring Continuity with “School in a Box”
Online Learning in the Philippines: Ensuring Continuity with “School in a Box” The Philippines, like many places, has embraced online learning as a way to keep education going despite disruptions. This is especially important with how fast technology is developing and the growing need for digital skills. Online learning platforms proved their worth during the …
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Lack of Education in the Philippines? The Patatas’ CaseStudy “School in a Box” Offers Solutions
Lack of Education in the Philippines? The Patatas’ CaseStudy “School in a Box” Offers Solutions Is there really a lack of education in the Philippines?— P5.768 trillion national budget for 2024 was approved, but only 13.2% is allocated for education The Philippines has long been facing difficulties in providing everyone access to high-quality education— basic …
From in need to clearing NEET: the case of one student’s self-study success
From in need to clearing NEET: the case of one student’s self-study success You should never use the Internet to self-diagnose your medical conditions – but what about self-studying your way into clearing one of India’s toughest medical admissions exams? source: https://www.reddit.com/r/memes/comments/m3ffyp/self_diagnose/ Meet Umer Ahmad Ganie. Well, that’s exactly what 19-year old Umer Ahmad Ganie …
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Does Education Have To Be So Expensive?
Education cost is rising. The Patatas’ CaseStudy is a ‘school-in-a-box’ solution not dependent on internet or power, aims to bring education to low-income communities.
Starlink, e-learning and the quest for worldwide connectivity today
With the world’s information so readily at our fingertips, it’s sometimes a stretch to remember that not everywhere in the world has that same immediate, fuss-free access to the Internet. Africa, in particular, faces limitations to Internet access due to its abundance of rural and remote areas. That’s where Space X’s Starlink aims to change the game.
An interview with Hungry SciAnntist [5 minute read]
An Interview with Hungry SciAnntist Social media is an omnipresent force, permeating every aspect of our lives. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Youtube have become ingrained in our existence. Undeniably, social media wields immense power, capable of influencing countless individuals, and its presence is here to stay. However, its potential stretches far beyond mere sharing of personal …
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How to encourage creativity in the classroom
How to encourage creativity in the classroom? It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge. – Albert Enstein It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge. – Albert Einstein Creativity is an essential aspect of learning and development. It …
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AI as a classroom teaching tool
AI as a classroom teaching tool Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized many aspects of our lives from research to art, and education is no exception. Recently there has been a rise in use of AI amongst students for homework and assignments. We have seen AI writing essays for students and even passing a law exam but what about its use …
Is AI the future of writing? I tried using 3 types of AI to write this
Is AI the future of writing? As a writer, one thing I struggle most with is essay writing. The obstacles I often face are writer’s block or feeling intimidated by the amount of information on the Internet. However, I recently found out about Artificial Intelligence (AI) that can help address these issues. What is AI? …
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Our visit to the Orang Asli
Our visit to the Orang Asli From the 20th to 25th of September 2022, our team visited the Temiar Tribe of the Orang Asli Community in Kelantan Malaysia to explore the use of CaseStudy that was specifically designed and created for 100% offline remote learning. As an education solutions consultancy working to create learning bridges in underrepresented Southeast Asia …
What is unschooling?
What is unschooling? Unlike many other middle schoolers, at eight years old, Sierra Allens quit school. However, her reason for quitting was not to stop her education. In fact, her reason for quitting was to pursue a different way of learning; unschooling. It has been two decades since Sierra quit school. In an interview, she says …
How will inflation impact education?
How will inflation impact education? In early 2021, a worldwide increase in inflation began. This inflation is not expected decrease until the middle of 2023, according to Forbes. Many people have speculated what cause this inflation and the most common reason would be the worldwide pandemic caused the economy to contract. Businesses were shut down and many workers were laid …
The mental health of teachers and how we can support them
The mental health of teachers and how we can support them Photo by Yan Krukov Teachers are the cornerstone of schools. Not only are they educators, but they also look after the welfare of students and take on many responsibilities, such as after-school clubs. In our previous article, we talked about managing the mental health of …
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Mental health: Personal advice I wish I knew as a student
Mental health: Personal advise I wish I knew as a student As a student, I know that stress is no stranger to us. Be it studies, juggling relationships between friends, family and maybe significant others… All of which are happening while we are still growing and trying to find our identity. Many changes, coupled with …
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How to create an inclusive education? [4 minute read]
How to create an inclusive education? At the thought of an inclusive education, what came to my mind were schools that are specialised for students with special needs. An example being Singapore’s first autism-focused school, Pathlight School. However, the more I researched about inclusive education, I realised I had misunderstood the meaning of an inclusive …
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The Orang Asli and the educational obstacles they face [5 minute read]
Who are the Orang Asli? The Orang Asli are an indigenous group of people found in Malaysia. Known to be the oldest group of inhabitants on Malaysia’s Peninsula, they comprise people from different tribes and ethnicities such as the Iban, Bidayuh, Kenyah and many more. Iban people ©Britannica Over time, their numbers slowly dwindled, causing …
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Why the Taliban’s ban on female education may not succeed
Why the Taliban’s ban on female education may not succeed It was the first day of school in Afghanistan. Two groups of students had turned up at their respective schools. They were bright-eyed and cheery, excited to be reunited with their friends and to get back to learning. However, one group was sent back, tearful …
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Websites for Free Singaporean Educational Resources [2 minute read]
Websites for Free Singaporean Educational Resources Singapore has one of the highest literacy rates in the world, standing at 97.1% in 2020. However, a high literacy rate does not translate to equal educational opportunities or resources. Educational inequality is a topic explored in Teo Yeo Yenn’s anthology of essays that took Singapore by storm, This is what …
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How does the Russia and Ukraine border crisis impact education?
How does the Russian and Ukraine border crisis impact education? On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine. Russian missiles have hit several Ukrainian cities, including the capital, Kyiv. This conflict has disrupted life for many Ukrainian citizens. Many are forced to flee to other countries for safety. This has also affected …
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Homeschooling in Mongolia – my experience as a missionary kid and third culture kid
Homeschooling in Mongolia Homeschooling – it refers to the educating of a child at home, which is usually done by a parent. Globally, around 2.5 million children were homeschooled in 2019. It is rare to hear about someone from Singapore who’s gone through homeschooling, let alone used to live in Mongolia. My parents homeschooled me from …
Opinion piece: How blockchain technology is going to change the education industry
How blockchain technology is going to change education industry Disruptive technology has become a hot topic, with the rise of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and cryptocurrencies. All these new inventions have one thing in common – blockchain technology. People predict that blockchain technology will change everything in our lives. Things may change from the way we …
Malala Yousafzai – Inspirational leaders in education [3 min read]
Malala Yousafzai – Inspirational leaders in education In October 2012, while 15-year-old Malala Yousafzai was on her usual route to school. Suddenly, the Taliban stopped the bus she was on and shot her. Her reason for persecution – fighting for the educational rights of women in Pakistan. Today, Malala Yousafzai stands as an inspirational leader …
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The Joy of Giving [2 min read]
The Joy of Giving A wonderful day to you guys! My name is Liew Yong Han and I am currently an SEO intern for The Patatas. It is my pleasure to share with you guys our experience in the joy of giving and what I have learned during our intern chill out session on the …
Sal Khan — Inspirational leaders in education [5 min read]
Sal Khan – Inspirational leaders in education Khan Academy Logo Upon hearing the name Sal Khan, you may recognise this name. It belongs to the founder of one of the world’s top educational websites, Khan Academy. On technology in education, people often talk about Khan Academy. Maybe you may have even used it for your own studies. …
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Ways you can give the gift of education this Christmas [5 min read]
Ways you can give the gift of education this Christmas Christmas is around the corner. It is one of the happiest holidays as friends and family gather to celebrate and give presents to one another. However, before you get swept up by this holiday season, it is important to remember that the season of giving …
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One of the Best YouTube Channels for Learning English
One of the Best Youtube Channels for Learning English All around the world, the English language is a key mode of communications. With English being the official language of 53 different countries, and one of the most common second languages in the world, fluency in English means understanding and being understood by almost 400 million people in …
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One of the Best YouTube Channels for Learning Science
One of the Best Youtube Channels for Learning Science One of the most valuable things we can give to a child is education. A science education, in particular, is important because every aspect of our everyday lives revolves around scientific concepts. From the technologies we use, to the public policy decisions we make, to the natural …
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One of the Best YouTube Channels to Learn Mathematics
One of the Best Youtube Channels for Learning Mathematics Online platforms such as YouTube channels are good platforms to learn mathematics from. As they offer convenient and interactive mathematics lessons, students can effectively learn from such channels at their fingertips. Intuitive lessons available online can address the questions that students may have, and can help …
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Innovations in Schools in Remote Areas
Issue of schools in remote areas Most of us would have had at least basic, primary school education, and if you live in Singapore, the first 6 primary school years are compulsory. Most of us might even have taken our education for granted, not realising that it is a privilege that not every child in …
Best YouTube Channels to Follow for Teachers
Best YouTube Channels to Follow for Teachers If you are an educator, you should know that one of the best ways to increase classroom engagement levels and share content knowledge is through the use of media. Gone are the days of traditional mediums like paper and pen! Now, with the power of technology and innovation, …
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3 Types of Alternative Schools That Exist Today
3 Types of Alternative Schools That Exist Today Malcom X, a prominent human rights activist, once said that “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” With this spirit of education in mind, we are no stranger to the importance of education here in Singapore. We …
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Using Wikipedia Offline to Educate Students
Using Wikipedia Offline to Educate Students At the sight of the words ‘Wikipedia’ and ‘Education’, some may instinctively get alarmed and bemoan that it is an unreliable source of information for education. As a crowd-sourced site built on a wiki platform, anyone can edit the free information at any time of the day. This leaves the …
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Ways to Improve Education in Refugee Camps in South Sudan
Ways to Improve Education in Refugee Camps in South Sudan South Sudan is the newest country on the map, but newfound independence might not always be a call for celebration. After a ghastly civil war, South Sudan gained independence in 2011, but that did not put an end to the unfortunate blood and violence. Two …
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Unique Schooling in Remote Villages
Unique Schooling in Remote Villages Living life in remote villages is tough. Not only are you often deprived of well-connected transport systems, stable electricity and Internet connection; basic necessities like food and clean, running water are difficult to come by. On top of these, remote villages face a struggle to upkeep an education system, with many facing low local staff …
Cyberbullying in Schools: Prevention and Support
Cyberbullying in Schools: Prevention and Support Mallory Grossman was a compassionate, empathetic, and kind 13-year-old girl. Despite her youth, Mallory cared enough to craft and to sell jewellery to fundraise for children with cancer. To her mother, Mallory was “the girl that you hope your children would grow up to be.” On June 14, 2017, Mallory committed suicide. Mallory’s …
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5 Things You Didn’t Know About Innovation in Social Work
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Innovation in Social Work Social work bridges social gaps and enriches the lives of individuals. People often associate social work with building relationships and providing support. However, we believe that there is more to social work. Besides bringing about social change through human relationships, innovation is vital for empowering …
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Education in Refugee Camps: Early childhood
Education in Refugee Camps: Early childhood Refugee camps are temporary facilities providing immediate protection to refugees. Refugees are people who are forced to flee due to violence, conflict or persecution. Hence, the word “refugee” is often associated with survival – shelter and food. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are a total of 70.8 …
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Challenges Refugee Students Face and How to Solve Them?
Challenges Refugee Students Face and How to Solve Them Refugee students face a plethora of challenges to their education journey due to the conditions they live in. Given a student’s goal which is to learn new knowledge and skills at school for the sake of their future, it is tragic that refugee students face problems of …
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Education for Refugees: Barriers and Improvements in access
Education for Refugees: Barriers and Improvements in access With the doubling of refugees over the last 10 years to reach the current estimate of 25.9 million, the demand for improving access to refugee education has never been higher. As refugee populations grow, their proportion of young people below 18 has only increased. From under-18s making …
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Teaching in Refugee Camps: Challenges and Solutions
Teaching in Refugee Camps: Challenges and Solutions Forced to flee their homes to seek safety, away from war and oppression, 37,000 people are displaced daily. The number of refugees has doubled over the past decade and currently stands at 25.9 million worldwide. The growing humanitarian crisis is, to many, one of the greatest challenges humanity faces today. From having …
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Syrian Refugees in Primary School Education: 3 Ways of Supporting them
Ways to Support Syrian Refugees Primary School Education One of the most prominent refugee diasporas would be that of Syrian refugees. Since the Syrian Civil War of 2011, Syrians have been forced to flee to neighbouring countries for asylum. Millions of them flee to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt, among other countries within the Middle East. However, …
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Classroom in a Box: Highlights and Areas for Improvement
Classroom in a Box: Highlights and Areas for Improvement In June 2015, Samsung announced the release of Classroom in a Box in collaboration with McGraw-Hill Education (an education company dedicated to creating improved educational experiences based in Learning Science research). Samsung announced its intention to positively impact students through technology while giving teachers the tools …
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Vodafone Instant Network Schools: Highlights and Drawbacks
Vodafone Instant Network Schools: Highlights and Drawbacks According to the website of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), more than half of the refugee children of school age do not go to school. As such, being able to go through education is considered a privilege to them, which is one of the many …
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Considerations for education in rural areas: 5 important points
Definition of rural area National Geographic defines rural as an area where the population density is very low in comparison to an urban area. The primary industry for most rural areas is agriculture as there are large plots of land surrounding their houses. People living in the rural community often work on fields or farms …
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Education Solution for Schools without Electricity
Education Solution for Schools without Electricity Access to Electricity Digital technology is believed to be able to better support teaching and learning by engaging and empowering the individual learner, compared to what is usually found in formal education settings which are not keeping up with the changing needs of students in a technologically driven world. …
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UNICEF Back to School Starter Kit: Pros & Cons
UNICEF Back to School Starter Kit: Pros & Cons Remember the devastating event that happened in 2019? The Category 5 storm – Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas, causing widespread destruction to infrastructures and homes. Efforts to supply the survivors with essential items for survival such as food, water, clothing and lodging was considered top priority. …
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CaseStudy Explained
In our last post about our latest trip down to Legazpi, we mentioned briefly about introducing our prototype idea, CaseStudy (previously known as Classroom in a Box), to the Tiwala teachers. CaseStudy is an idea that was conceived by our Chief Operating Officer because he wanted to explore something that could increase student engagement in …
Introducing New Technology to Tiwala Kids and Communities
Introducing New Technology to Tiwala Kids and Communities Since 2014, The Patatas have been making yearly trips down to Legazpi City, Philippines to visit our partner Tiwala Kids and Communities. With each trip, we’ve brought along new equipment and to introduce new technology so as to expand digital education ‘Project Digi-Eskwela‘ and our latest trip …
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Social Innovation Defined
Social Innovation Defined We have been using the term “Social Innovation” to describe what The Patatas is all about but what exactly does that mean? As defined by Wikipedia, social innovation is the different ways of doing things that meet social needs such as education and healthcare. Social innovation includes the social processes of innovation, …
Innovative Agriculture Products Experimentations
Innovative Agriculture Products Experimentations The Patatas is interested in all things innovative and we are always exploring different ways to benefit under-represented communities through innovation. A little background here, The Patatas is part of Potato Productions and it houses several other companies specializing in various industries. With this unique environment, we often come together to …
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Exciting New Project Initiatives Along the Thai-Myanmar Border
Exciting New Project Initiatives Along the Thai-Myanmar Border At the end of February, representatives from The Patatas travelled to the Thai-Myanmar border where we were exploring potential partnerships and work opportunities within the area. We left Mae Sot extremely optimistic, positively looking forward to upcoming collaborations and exciting project initiatives. The Patatas’ interest in the …
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Tablet Education and Why It Works
Tablet Education and Why It Works In 2014, we piloted a tablet education program with Tiwala Kids and Communities in the Philippines. Five tablets were pre-loaded with an educational application and workshops were conducted for the Tiwala teachers to learn how to use the tablets to improve their teaching. (Children under the tablet education program) …
Transforming Education with Tablet Technology
Transforming Education with Tablet Technology Technologies’ impact Around the world technology is increasingly making an impact on education; transforming teaching and learning in schools. Yet, a great number of teachers and students are disconnected from this technology – particularly those in developing countries and rural communities. This educational digital divide is increasing in size, as …
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