Ustad Mobile

Product Description

Ustad Mobile is an open-source mobile learning app that enables students to experience interactive video-based simulations that work on smartphones and feature phones. The app content is focused on the personal soft skills and contains four pre-employability modules (CV writing, cover letter writing, job search skills, and job interview skills) and five post-employability modules (communication skills, workplace values, and ethics, time management, report writing, and entrepreneurship). This product is made by UstadMobile Inc.

Target SDGs

SDG 4: Quality Education

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Community

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Ministry of Education in Afghanistan

Manufacturing/Building Method

N/A

Intellectural Property Type

Trademark

User Provision Model

The mobile app is freely available for download from the Google Play Store.

Distributions to Date Status

USTAD Mobile has earned 60,000 USD from contracts with NGOs since February 2014 and has about 1,000 learners using various different versions of the software.

mEducation application

Access and Share Educational Content Offline

Languages available (list)

Dari, Pashto, and English

Operating system and version

* Android
* Windows 7/8

Literacy support (Yes/No)

Yes

Usage rate (%)

75%

Two way communication (Yes/No)

Permanent network connectivity required (Yes/No)

Additonal features required

Device(s) required

Feature phones.

Level of coverage needed

None

Mobile service required

Feature phone services.

Design Specifications

Ustad Mobile is an open-source app that creates and delivers interactive learning content with quizzes, text, images, audio, and video. The platform uses standard EPUB files or TinCan exports and uses fingerprint or voice authentication to verify the student attendance to the courses. The app is supported by Android devices or desktops running Windows and Linux. The product distributes interactive learning content offline between devices with peer-to-peer sharing. Usage time, learner progress, and digitized paper records are logged offline and uploaded to a cloud server when a connection is available. This app is made on top of Kotlin and the desktop version is made with javascript using the angular framework. Developers can clone or contribute to the project following the steps on their GitHub repo.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Provided by the designers.

Replacement Components

N/A

Lifecycle

N/A

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

This product aims to improve the quality of digital education and make it accessible to 59% who don't have internet access.

Vetted Performance Status

The pilot evaluation made in collaboration with The University Support and Workforce Development Program found that student outcomes increased from an average of 32/100 prior to using the app to 71/100 after using the app.

Safety

N/A

Complementary Technical Systems

N/A

Academic Research and References

Ahmed, R. U., Mahmudul, A. S. M., Sultana, M. A., Iqbal, M. I., & Johora, U. F. T., 2015. “Jonaki-an mlearning tool to reduce illiteracy in Bangladesh”. International Journal of Computer Applications, 128(17).

“Private Projects – Private Schools.” n.d. Sakena.Org. Accessed June 11, 2024. https://www.sakena.org/supporting-afghan-private-enterprises/private-schools.php

“Goal 4.” n.d. Sdgs.Un.Org. Accessed June 10, 2024. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal4

“Ustad Mobile.” n.d. Google.Com. Accessed June 11, 2024. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.toughra.ustadmobile

UstadMobile: Teach, Learn, and Share: Online or Offline. n.d. Accessed June 11, 2024. https://github.com/UstadMobile/UstadMobile

Expo City Dubai. 2018. “Ustad Mobile App Is Providing Access to Education Offline // Expo Live: UAE.” Youtube. June 6, 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZNcXMcOBTw

“University Support and Workforce Development Program.” 2015. FHI 360. May 4, 2015. https://www.fhi360.org/projects/university-support-and-workforce-development-program/

LICENSE at Master · UstadMobile/Ustadmobile-App. n.d. Accessed June 11, 2024. https://github.com/UstadMobile/ustadmobile-app/blob/master/LICENSE

Compliance with regulations

Users must check the license file before using the open-source code of this app.

Evaluation methods

Field trials