HP India deploying “computer-lab-in-a-box”

[#1]

Having installed its fourth 'Lab-in-Box' (a self-sustainable computer lab in a shipping container) at Ahmedabad, India, Hewlett-Packard (HP) India is now in talks with the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) for installing more education focused labs.

Each HP Lab-in-Box comprises a shipping container that has 15 HP multi-seat thin client workstations, a multifunctional printer, wireless connectivity, electricity, furniture, fans and air conditioning. This approach allows multiple users (students in many cases) to be connected to one machine, which maximizes space and resource utilization while reducing cost and complexity. The same techniques that allow for containerized data centers have other applications as well.

While HP India is in talks with central and state governments for installing these labs across public schools in India, it has received demands from other countries as well. "Even Indonesia, Afghanistan and other African countries have also been demanding this lab but we are waiting for the pilot projects to get stabilized," said Jaijit Bhattacharya director, Government Affairs, HP India.

The HP labs organization in India has been researching ways to impact education through computing. We’ll likely see a number of products and approaches in the coming years that continue this wave forward.

Even though there has been a great deal of talk about the Kahn Academy and various on-line efforts to shift how education is performed, some foundational infrastructure is still required.

[#2]

I had a couple of thoughts after reading this blog ....

First, I think about all the investment in technology schools in the United States has made.  Somehow I doubt many school districts (or zoning boards for that matter) in the US would welcome Labs in a Pod.  Having technology in the classroom takes on a new meaning.

Second, is there any evidence on how teachers are trained to use the technology that HP is providing via the pod approach?  This seems to be the weakness in my mind with many schools here in the US.  "Here's the technology" now teachers you need to figure out how to use it to improve your students test scores.

Coop

[#3]

I wonder how much time Indian students are afforded to spend on lab like this. 15 PCs for 1,000 students? They get to star at it from distance?

[#4]

Clearly this is one of many. Since this is a labs activity, the focus is to identify the value, impact... As it is understood, more can be deployed or modifications can be made. You wouldn't want to make a 1000 of them and then figure out that there was a basic problem with the design.

[#5]

Shortly after this post, MIT and Harvard announced EdX.

[#6]

Sir,

The idea is wonderful. We are also into education since 1926. We have 3 schools in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. I was just wondering if the benefit of something like this can be passed on to the 13000 students we have. I also read that a pilot has been installed in Vidhyanagar school in Ahmedabad. Do let us know. But I really appreciate the idea. We wish your company all the best for the future endeavours.