Mahaicony software developer piloting e-learning in the Caribbean

– To launch Uber-like cab service in Guyana

By Neil Marks
WHEN the government of Trinidad and Tobago was forced to abandon its laptop for schools project, it turned to testing Caribbean eBooks Limited and its innovative Learnit programme.What caused the schools laptop project to flop, was the fact that many schools did not have Internet access, so placing laptops in the hands of schoolchildren without any content was simply useless.

And it wasn’t just Trinidad and Tobago that had this dilemma. In countries such as Guyana and others in the Caribbean, the common problem is schools’ inability to access the Internet, and develop a customised programme of education, using laptops provided by the government. And then there are the other issues, such as preventing students from accessing pornographic websites.

ENTER SHELDON BLAIR
What Caribbean eBooks Limited was doing was developing tablets for schoolchildren from kindergarten to primary, but it needed someone to generate content for the tablets.
And that’s where Sheldon Blair, the self-taught Mahaicony software developer, came in.
Blair was handed his first computer, an old IBM desktop, at the age of 12. And after his father became fed-up with having to pay to fix it every now and then, he decided to pick it apart and put it back together. And that’s how he started on the road to developing computer software. He even dropped out of the University of Guyana’s computer science programme because, as one lecturer told him, he was wasting his time; he was way ahead of what was being taught at UG.
On the road to completing his degree at the University of the West Indies (Mona Campus, Jamaica), Blair is today pioneering the development of educational software in the Caribbean and hopes the Guyana government can buy in.
With Caribbean eBooks, Blair developed a programme called Learnit SDNet.
“What this does is take content from the Internet and load it to the servers of the specialised tablets. So, once a person has the tablets, they can utilise the textbooks which are loaded on; access video tutorials and so on,” Blair told the Guyana Chronicle in a recent interview.

LEARNIT TECHNOLOGY
The Learnit Servers and Tablets provide interactive, innovative technology that addresses the concerns that come with using technology in the classroom.
It is capable of uploading all available classroom materials onto wireless Learnit Servers for easy access on students’ laptops and Learnit tablets. Each child is able to learn at his own pace, so that no child is left behind, unlike the chalk-and-talk process which forces all children to learn at the same pace, which is a problem for slower learners. In addition, Learnit is able to track the progress of individual students.
Included on the server is Khan Academy, a personalised learning resource for all ages, which offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalised learning dashboard that empowers learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom.
It tackles Mathematics, Science, Computer Programming, History, Economics, and more.

How Qik KABS will work

QIK KABS
At the moment, Blair, through his company Broadlink Development, is developing an application called Qik KABS, a splitting image of the transnational transportation service, Uber, to solve the taxi woes of Guyanese, woes which one can build an endless list upon, such as fluctuating prices for the same drops on a different time of day, uncouth drivers, prolonged delays, and of crucial importance, security.
QiK KABS will utilise mobile-based devices, Internet and GPS technology to provide accurate and reliable services.
The ‘app’ will allow a person to locate and book a taxi nearby. Once you book, you will see a photo of the driver picking you up, and you can also share the information with a close family or friend, so they will be able to know when you are picked up and the stops the car makes along the way.
The ‘app’ will be helpful to drivers as well. In Guyana, where most homes are without a lot number, the ‘app’ will allow drivers to see your exact location and get there.
QiK KABS users will benefit from Open Wifi access at popular locations in and around the city of Georgetown to facilitate booking and other Internet access needs with two hours access free per day, and options to purchase additional Online time.
Non QiK KABS users will also have the option of 30 minutes access free per day, with options to purchase additional Online time.

THE FUTURE
From the time he was in primary school, Blair knew he would be into the ‘tech’ field one day, but he just wasn’t sure how or what he would be doing. His interest then was doing “something electrical” like his father.
With his skills, Blair is focused on helping others, especially children, and that’s very obvious, because, ever since he left school, he has worked in the education sector. And his gig with Caribbean eBooks solidifies that.
He started out at the Mahaicony Primary School as a Pupil Teacher in October 2005, and worked there for six months until he was old enough to work in the formal public sector.
His next job was at the Department of Education in Region Five, where he worked as the Regional ICT Technician.
Next, he moved to Xxtreme Support Services as a part-time supervisor and analyst. His job was to supervise the shift staff, while analysing and developing resolutions to problems for an Online game in real-time mode.
In October 2006, he joined the Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Teachers Training as an ICT Technician to manage and maintain their database, computers and network in Guyana.
In July 2009, he took up an offer at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) to be their webmaster/technician (Systems Administrator). There, he deployed and managed the Success Maker Software in all government schools in Guyana, and also sourced and developed ICT-related content for the training of teachers and staff in the Ministry of Education. He also helped train teachers in basic computing.
Going forward, Blair doesn’t see his focus changing.
“I just want to use my skills to help people, children especially. And that’s why my work is focused on developing educational materials,” the father of two said.