Making Digital Learning Resources Accessible Offline

Planning to set up your offline digital learning environment? These resources will help you get started:

Kiwix – Kiwix is an offline reader for web content. Kiwix software intended to make Wikipedia available without using the internet, but it is potentially suitable for all HTML content. It is an open-source software which anyone can copy, modify and distribute. Kiwix is mostly installed in schools, universities, and libraries which can’t afford a broadband Internet access. It is much faster than the Internet and also can be used by many institutions to save bandwidth and reader’s time. Kiwix uses ZIM which is an open file format which stores wiki content (such as Wikipedia) for offline usage. Apart from Wikipedia, Kiwix software can also be used so distribute other free content such as TED Talks, WikiSource, PhET, WIkitionary, and several others. It’s available fo Windows and Linux. You can be packaged it in a Raspberry Pi and take it with you wherever you go.

Kolibri – Offline App for delivering offline education content. Kolibri makes it possible to access education content from a low-cost local server using any nearby device with a browser and wifi without using the internet. It requires no internet for the learners to access the education content. Apart from education content, the app also comes equipped with tools to support effective learning. It supports self-paced and collaborative learning through the use of its interactive exercises with real-time feedback and guidance for both students and teachers.

BluPoint  – BluPoint provides a low cost, solar powered, pop-up intranet solution that is fast to implement and free to users. It can be accessed on a number of mobile devices including those without internet connectivity functionality. This enables faster and equitable delivery and access to digital content. Educators can use this as a means of delivering education content to their learners cost-effectively as it does not require internet connectivity and works with low-end phones that.

RACHEL – RACHEL (Remote Area Community Hotspots for Education and Learning) is a Raspberry Pi-based educational offline server which has lots of educational content ranging from Khan Academy materials, Wikipedia, literature, reference material, and textbooks; alongside vital community materials like medical and first aid textbooks. RACHEL is accessed via a web browser.

KA Lite – This is an open source offline software version of Khan Academy. Running KA Lite as a local server, you can watch Khan Academy videos, do exercises, and track student progress all without needing an Internet connection. KA Lite can be customized for personal, classroom or school usage and currently offer videos and exercises in ten different languages. It runs on Linux, Mac, and Windows.

PhET – PhET is a collection of free interactive simulations for teaching and learning maths and science.  The simulations can be used online or can be downloaded for offline learning. Simulations are for a number of subjects such as Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. PhET simulations are based on extensive education research and engage students through an intuitive, game-like environment where students learn through exploration and discovery.