Sharp will participate in a proof-of-concept trial for electronic education from March 8 to the end of March 2011 at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad to be conducted under the Project for International Expansion of Advanced ICT Business launched by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) of Japan. For this trial, Sharp will provide an e-education system based on Sharp’s one-of-a-kind products, including e-textbooks (textbook content in digital format) on GALAPAGOS media tablets as well as interactive whiteboard touchscreen LCD monitors.

In the proof-of-concept trial, the content of textbooks to be used in courses as well as curriculum information will be downloaded to the e-textbook terminals via a wireless (Wi-Fi) connection to a dedicated remote e-education server. In addition, electronic whiteboards used during class instruction are displayed on the e-textbook terminals. Interactive classes can be conducted by using a microphone and speakers in combination with an electronic whiteboard connected to the remote e-education server even in classrooms where no teacher is present.

This system aims to enable students who are not able to take courses because of a lack of teachers to attend advanced classes.