An Outline for a Jupyter-Materials-Based Repository Website Focused on the Computational Sciences

TL;DR

This paper proposes a low-cost, offline-accessible repository website for open-source Jupyter Notebook textbooks aimed at enhancing computational sciences education, especially in remote and underprivileged areas, by integrating affordable hardware like Raspberry Pi kits.

Contribution

It introduces a lightweight, offline-capable web platform for disseminating open-source educational materials and explores using Raspberry Pi kits to expand access in low-resource settings.

Findings

Developed a prototype repository website for offline use.

Demonstrated feasibility of using Raspberry Pi kits for educational access.

Addressed barriers of internet and hardware access in remote areas.

Abstract

As access to the internet has become increasingly ubiquitous, along with the reliability and speed of internet providers, so too has the implementation of internet-based learning tools. These tools provide students opportunities to do meaningful work away from university, however, often at a financial cost to universities and students. Moreover, limited and high-cost internet access in less-developed countries and remote areas acts as a barrier to implementing these tools in a meaningful way, leading to inequalities in both the quality of education and the opportunities provided. This paper outlines the development process, and benefits, of a low-cost and light-weight repository website centered around disseminating open-source textbooks and other supplemental learning materials for computational sciences using Jupyter Notebooks. The website focuses on allowing students to download their textbooks and other materials from a centralized location, to be used offline or with limited internet access. Internet access is not the only constraining factor; access to reasonably priced personal computers also limits the effectiveness of internet-based learning tools. As such, this paper will also explore the feasibility of integrating low-cost Raspberry Pi kits into this development process as a way of increasing the reach of an online repository of open-source Jupyter Notebook textbooks. While this paper focuses on Canadian universities and remote communities, many of the website's proposed applications are relevant worldwide.