Empowering Every Child with the Offline Learning Passport
Take a look behind the scenes at Welotec in Laer, Germany
Imagine a world where every child, regardless of their circumstances, has access to high-quality digital education and the endless opportunities it brings. That's our vision with the Learning Passport. Our key focus is to achieve this goal equitably, particularly for the 2.9 billion individuals1 who are still offline. And the solution lies in the Offline Learning Passport.
During a recent visit to Welotec in Laer, Germany, a leading technology company specializing in industrial communication and IoT solutions, I had the privilege of meeting their impressive technical team and touring their manufacturing facilities. Welotec plays a crucial role in the Learning Passport by manufacturing the Offline Hub Devices, specifically designed for UNICEF to deliver digital learning without the internet.
As I entered the Welotec facilities, a sense of anticipation filled me. I realized that these hub devices were more than mere gadgets; they were the key to unlocking the boundless potential of children in underserved communities. Connectivity challenges have imposed limitations on billions of individuals, hindering their pursuit of knowledge, growth, and access to future opportunities. The Welotec facilities showcased the remarkable work being done to bridge the digital divide. I loved the manufacturing process of the Offline hub devices. The engineers and technicians at Welotec employed cutting-edge technology a to craft these devices – they were serious pros. It was evident that every aspect of their production was designed to ensure the devices were robust, durable, portable, easy to use, and capable of functioning in challenging environments. I even had the chance to assemble one of the hub devices myself!
During my tour, as I interacted with the engineers and technicians and personally assembled one of the devices, I was reminded of the significant obstacle faced by marginalized communities—the lack of internet connectivity. In such circumstances, the Learning Passport Offline hub devices overcomes this huge obstacle. These devices house customized, curated, and contextualized high-quality educational content, ranging from formal curricula to digital skills courses. The hub device creates a local area network, similar to Wi-Fi. This allows anyone within the signal range to connect. Once a Hub device is placed in a classroom or learning center, learners using any device with a browser, such as a PC, tablet, or smartphone, can log in to the Learning Passport, create a profile, engage in training, and complete assessments, while their progress is recorded on their individual record.
My visit to Welotec reaffirmed the pivotal role played by the Offline hub devices in closing the digital divide. In regions where educational opportunities are limited, the Learning Passport acts as a transformative bridge, connecting children to a world of knowledge and information. It not only equips students with quality educational resources but also fosters their creativity, problem-solving abilities, and digital literacy skills.
The experience of witnessing the manufacturing process of the Offline hub devices was truly inspiring and reinforced my belief in the transformative power of technology to accelerate change and make a positive impact on the lives of the most marginalized. With digital learning available even without internet access, children and young people can overcome connectivity barriers and unlock their true potential. The Learning Passport embodies this power of transformation, providing equitable access to education and empowering the leaders of tomorrow. Together, we are building a future where every child can thrive and contribute to a better world.
