MIT Solve

Solution Overview

Solution Name:

E-Groupme

One-line solution summary:

E-groupme is a structured SMS based group chat platform for education in places deprived of educational resources and web connectivity

Pitch your solution.

Why Groupme: It’s the only available solution for people who have no access to smartphones, and data
connectiona. Using Groupme you can create and manage groups simply by sending text messages
using simple global commands. Importantly there is no Internet connection, app or smartphone is
needed.
How?
Quite simply the idea is to create a SMS based dedicated group discussion platform
This structural frame works will create distinct groups with dedicated numbers.
(Its like a toll free access number for a dedicated chat)
The groups could be based on age, class, region, subject, activity etc.
There will be generic groups (based on grade, class) or specific groups (based on activity, interests).
There will be a limited set of open text numbers for users to create their own subgroups as well.
Based on the functionality groups can either be Static or dynamic.

What specific problem are you solving?

The solution leverages existing freely available Groupme platform that can be deployed in either classical text enabled phones or smart phones. (link below). I propose to make it structured platform in alignment with the educational objectives and goals for girls who donot have access to smart phones and internet connectivity.

reference to the web

https://groupme.com/en-US/

What is your solution?

The solution leverages existing freely available Groupme platform that can be deployed in either classical text enabled phones or smart phones. (link below). I propose to make it structured platform in alignment with the educational objectives and goals for girls who donot have access to smart phones and internet connectivity.

reference to the platform

https://groupme.com/en-US/

Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?

E-groupme is a simple yet power solution which is multifaceted

 Enable schools to impart discussion based study over mobile device in a seamless fashion.
 Engage kids in the discussion of specific topics and promote group learning activity
 Facilitate interaction with kids of same age group even though they are geographically isolated
 Connect kids with other kids across the globe via group chats over mobile device.
 Present focused discussion groups and foster collaboration by bringing like minds together
 Seamlessly enable students to setup group study and execute group activities.
 Girl specific E-groupchats enable girls to openly share and discuss their problems and possibly
connect to a facilitator as well.
 Family specific E-group chats enable families to interact with each other to discuss their social,
economic, health issues.
 Enable novel applications like real-time tests and quiz
 Realtime ride share. Can schedule a rideshare to the school.
 Realtime bidding on stuff (more like bidding on ebay) can be made possible on E-groupme
 Enable SMS social networking
 Enable government officials ,private NGOs to interact with children, adults about
specific social, health problems etc

Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?

Increase the number of girls and young women participating in formal and informal learning and training

Explain how the problem, your solution, and your solution’s target population relate to the Challenge and your selected dimension.

E-Groupme is a novel, simple and effective solution for a host of challenges in many parts of the
world. The platform is multifaceted with multiple applications which not only address the girl child education but also can transform the way of lives in poor communities across the world.

In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?

hyderabad

What is your solution’s stage of development?

Concept: An idea being explored for its feasibility to build a product, service, or business model based on that idea

Who is the primary delegate for your solution?

sanjith yeruva

More About Your Solution

Which of the following categories best describes your solution?

A new application of an existing technology

Describe what makes your solution innovative.

The existing educational platforms involve usage of smart devices which are far out of reach for many communities .In addition these communities do not necessarily have even 2g connectivity and cannot afford the same as well.Hence I believe this structured educational centric platform which is free to use will be a game changer addressing the core need of the communities.

Describe the core technology that powers your solution.

E-groupme is a versatile and specific application of SMS based platform groupme.

How? Quite simply the idea is to create a sms based dedicated group discussion platform This structural frame works will create distinct groups with dedicated numbers. (Its like a toll free access number for a dedicated chat) The groups could be based on age, class, region, subject, activity etc. There will be generic groups (based on grade, class) or specific groups (based on activity, interests). There will be a limited set of open text numbers for users to create their own subgroups as well. Based on the functionality groups can either be Static or dynamic.

Static E-groupme This static list will be coordinated by teachers or group coordinators within a community. They set group discussion programs for a week on a regular basis. Schedules can be automatically sent to anyone registered on E-groupme. The information can also be accessed by texting static e-groupme number. For instance the static E-groupme can sent out an SMS outlining the schedule outlining.. What science topics will be discussion in the field of science on a given time/day in a week? How many people signed up for a certain group activity, project etc.

Dynamic E-groupme Dynamic E-groupme also enables children form study groups and discuss a certain topic. Dynamic groupchats can be scheduled by simply sending a SMS request to “scheduler”

Provide evidence that this technology works.

The evidence is in groupme.com

https://groupme.com/en-US/

Please select the technologies currently used in your solution:

Software and Mobile Applications

Select the key characteristics of your target population.

Women & Girls
Children & Adolescents
Rural
Poor
Low-Income
Refugees & Internally Displaced Persons
Persons with Disabilities

Which of the UN Sustainable Development Goals does your solution address?

3. Good Health and Well-Being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
17. Partnerships for the Goals

In which countries do you currently operate?

India

In which countries will you be operating within the next year?

Afghanistan
India

How many people does your solution currently serve? How many will it serve in one year? In five years?

The idea is at the stage of inception and I am hopping to deploy the resource by the end of the year. I expect that this will be rolled out and reach about 30,000 students in in my province by the mid of next year.

What are your goals within the next year and within the next five years?

Goals:

1.Deploy egroup me in english platform

2. Continue to expand to other languages by colloborating with NGO"s,Non profits across the globe

What barriers currently exist for you to accomplish your goals in the next year and in the next five years?

I see that an awareness of the technology is limited .So the main barrier would be to impress upon the local bodies, communities to advance this technology.

How do you plan to overcome these barriers?

I intend to leverage media to gain support for the cause. This will be presented to local governments, schools to get traction.

About Your Team

Your Business Model & Funding

Partnership & Prize Funding Opportunities

Why are you applying to Solve?

I am looking for coding experts to develop this project

In which of the following areas do you most need partners or support?

Solution technology

Please explain in more detail here.

I am open to join forces with passionate software coding developers and institutes who can support the venture.

What organizations would you like to partner with, and how would you like to partner with them?

MIT faculty

Explain how you are qualified for this prize. How will your team use The Andan Prize for Innovation in Refugee Inclusion to advance your solution?

I like to present some of my accomplishments which demonstrate my credentials. The accomplishments in the space of innovation and research are listed below.

2013 Nokia Ideas project one of 5 winners(design and develop for planet and people) 2012

• Literacy grand prize winner ,Pearson Foundation

• HEINEKEN’s IdeasBrewery Challenge Best Co-creator

• UNESCO-Nokia literacy project winner

• Rewarded in Myprize contest

• Rewarded in Western Union "world of betters" contest

. • Third prize in i2i contest by Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). 2011

• Third prize (Innocentive.com), 2010 • Third prize (Innocentive.com), 2010 • Rewarded (Atizo.com), 2009

•First prize (Innocentive.com), 2008

• Finalist in CISCO I prize, GE ecomagination, Hapinoy Fisherman contest. & Wipro-Wharton contest 2010.Heineken Ideas brewery finalist(2012), Lockheed Martin challenge finalist 2012)

One publication with MIT faculty