CONCEPT OF LEARN SPACE
WHAT IS LEARN SPACE? – Learn Space is a “computer lab” that is accessible to anyone who is willing to put some energy into something positive in exchange for time in a “lab”. A Learn Space “lab” has learning stations (tablets or computers) that users can self-learn skills using YouTube, Khan Academy, Coursera and other online content.
WHY LEARN SPACE? – We believe that everyone regardless of financial standing or background should have access to knowledge so they can educate themselves. We also believe that skilled people will lead to more motivated and creative people and therefore reduce poverty and crime.
ASPECTS OF LEARN SPACE
LEARN SPACE – The space – is a lab where anyone can get access to a learning station (computers or tablets) with internet access without needing money to pay for it. These learning stations are to be used for skills learning and research etc. Although one won’t need money to access these learning stations, they aren’t “free” either. There will be an exchange, for example, anyone could collect and hand-in recyclables, or do some form of positive contribution within a community which will earn them credits. These credits can then be used to “buy” time at a learning station at Learn Space. This way giving anyone who is willing to put energy into doing something positive within their community, the ability of better skilling themselves using online content such as YouTube, Khan Academy, Coursera and many others. These days it’s often really challenging to skill oneself without financial means, so I believe a facility like Learn Space is essential to the upliftment of anyone who is willing and inspired to better themselves.
I honestly believe that skills and knowledge are some of the main things holding people back from creating livelihoods for themselves or being able to find employment.
From personal experience I am fully aware of the power of online content, as all my skills are self-taught and largely through online content.
LEARN SPACE – Earning credits – anyone who comes to a Learn Space node will need to register on the Learn Space system, then earn credits by collecting recyclables and handing them in at the local recycling depot or putting energy into doing something positive within their community through some community organization. The recycling depot or community organization would then load credits into the user’s account based on the amount of recycling or time the user has collected or put in. These credits will be loaded to the users account based on their fingerprint or a user code.
LEARN SPACE – The interface – once a user has credits they are able to go to any Learn Space node, log in with their fingerprint or user code and gain access to the Learn Space learning stations and interface. The learning stations will be locked to an interface that essentially has a database of YouTube videos and other content that are rated and sorted by topic so the user will be able to browse or search any topic they’d like to learn about. Having the learning stations locked to this interface will prevent users from “abusing” the facility and consuming irrelevant content. There will also be sections within the interface to help users decide what field of skills may be of interest to them etc. Also, as users use Learn Space more and more they will gain a higher “rank” and more “freedom” to use the learning stations as they wish and will be able to watch and search the general internet for content as they choose, as long as they still don’t “abuse” the facility.
LEARN SPACE – The database – learnspace.education will essentially be a website that anyone with internet access can use from anywhere outside of a Learn Space node, where anyone can also browse and search for YouTube or other content rated and sorted by topic. This interface will essentially be the same as the learning stations within a Learn Space node. In order to populate the Learn Space database, which is used by the learning stations interface and learnspace.education, anyone from anywhere can register on the learnspace.education website as a contributor and add links to YouTube and other content they find useful and add it to the appropriate topic so that other uses can find them easily. Anyone who abuses this will be removed and their links to content will also be removed if necessary.
WHAT WILL BE NEEDED:
Learn Space node setup – once off – We’d ideally like to be able to keep the Learn Space nodes entirely independent and even movable if needed.
- 20 or 40ft insulated container.
- Small solar system to run learning stations, router, lights.
- Wood and metal to make table tops, mount lighting, plugs, solar system.
- Windows for light and air.
- Learning stations – tables, laptops, desktops or Raspberry Pi’s that can run android or linux and run the Learn Space interface.
- Headphones for users to listen to videos.
- Main computer station with login interface and fingerprint reader
- 3g or other router for internet access with wifi and or LAN
- Labour to fit out containers with windows, desks, plugs, lights, solar system and install software on main computer and learning stations.
- Transport to take containers to sight pre and post fitting out and setting up.
Learn Space website / database development – once off:
- Coders to develop the login interface and content searching and viewing website / database system.
- Coders to develop credit loading features are probably part of the same website system – so the user’s account can be loaded with credit by recycling depot or community organization facility supervisor when the user collects recyclables or puts energy into something positive like a community organization.
Learn Space node running – monthly – We’d need the following to keep the nodes running.
- Someone to oversee and manage each LearnSpace node.
- Internet / data subscription.
Learn Space overseeing and admin – monthly – We’d need the following to keep the Learn Space systems running.
- Someone to oversee and manage all the nodes and general management.
- Someone to oversee and manage website and database maintenance – could be the same person in time.
- Website hosting fees.
EXPANSION IDEAS
- In time we could expand the credit concept so that one could also use these credits to get a meal or some other basic needs.
- Possibly add a small workshop / electronics station into the containers that can also be used by Learn Space users with credits and a higher “rank”
- Credits could be a crypto / block chain or talent based system.
- Possible sources of income to assist in Learn Space nodes sustaining themselves:
- Getting commission on recyclables being handed in by Learn Space users.
- Having Learn Space users make products for the community and have a percentage of the revenue stay within Learn Space and the rest go directly to the users.
- Having the Learn Space overseer be able to generate an income while overseeing users.
Thanks for your time and hope you enjoyed the read!
Please let us know if you have any comments suggestion or would like to get involved or contribute in some way.
Please Email us on input@learnspace.education