Hole in the Wall

Based on the highly innovative and successful experiments conducted in India by Hole in the Wall Education Limited (HIWEL), Bibliotheca Alexandrina intends to bring the children of Alexandria in direct contact with the cyber world and its infinite possibilities for education and learning. The "Hole in the Wall" project, mainly a socially developing project, presupposes that “if given appropriate access and connectivity, groups of children can learn to use computers and the Internet with none or minimal intervention from adults”. It has proven that it is indeed possible to install a computer, connect it to the Internet, design it for children and keep it in working condition in any external (outdoor) environment. Moreover, it has shown that children can learn to use computers and browse the Internet with no formal input from anyone in less than 10-15 minutes.

"The Hole in the Wall" is a computer in a kiosk showing only the monitor and a simple keyboard

"The Hole in the Wall" is a computer in a kiosk showing only the monitor and a simple keyboard. It is designed especially for children with regard to heights and dimensions, in particular the housing of the keyboard is such that it would be uncomfortable for an adult who tries to use it. The mouse is especially designed to be sturdy, easy to use and suitable for external environment.

A portal holding some interesting sites for the children with games, stories and educational tools has also been built. A prototype of one kiosk has already been set inside BA. The project aims to break ground with 30 kiosks for self-learning in Alexandria, with an objective of expanding to Cairo and later on to the rest of Egypt. Selection of kiosk locations in Alexandria will be done in partnership with the Alexandria Governorate.

The project will be accompanied by social and pedagogical studies analyzing the interaction of the children with the project, their interests, the extent to which they have learned from this project, and more.