Project Overview
A progressive education technology provider sought to redefine classroom learning in Africa by creating a digitally secure and distraction-free learning environment. More than an app, what was needed was an end-to-end eLearning operating system that could tightly integrate with custom Lenovo Android tablets. The solution had to lock down the device at the OS level, pin the learning app as the only user interface, and offer teachers complete control over classroom activity—all while tracking learning interactions in real-time. Cubet was brought in to design and build this secure, tablet-based learning platform. The outcome was an ecosystem that combined a powerful mobile app, a locked-down Android OS, token-controlled internet access, and a real-time analytics engine, transforming how classroom learning was delivered and monitored.
Industry
Education Technology (EdTech)
The Client
The client is a future-focused education technology provider committed to delivering accessible, high-impact digital learning solutions across African classrooms. With a vision to eliminate distractions and enable interactive teaching, they required a device-embedded solution that would act as both learning platform and learning gatekeeper.
Challenges Addressed
- Traditional tablets posed distractions due to unrestricted app and internet access
- Standard Android configurations were not equipped to restrict or manage device-level usage
- There was no existing infrastructure to manage teacher-student interactions digitally in real time
- Teachers needed an intuitive system that worked out-of-the-box, without complex training
- Performance data and user engagement metrics were fragmented or unavailable
- Internet access had to be granted securely and selectively to avoid misuse
Collaboration in Action
Cubet worked closely with the client to design an ecosystem that could integrate directly into a custom Android operating system. By embedding the learning platform within the device itself, Cubet ensured that the entire experience—from boot-up to shutdown—was controlled and secure.
Role-based features were created for both students and teachers, with seamless switching based on login credentials. Teachers could guide, launch, and manage live sessions, while students interacted with curated educational content. The platform was designed to be scalable, secure, and easy to use—meeting both pedagogical and technological needs.
Technologies Deployed
Device & OS Layer
- Custom ROM image installed on Lenovo Android tablets
- Kiosk mode enforced to disable hardware buttons and prevent app switching
- Bootloader scripts and Android Device Policy APIs used to lock down OS access
Mobile Application (Android)
- Developed in Kotlin using Jetpack libraries
- Offline-first architecture with sync-on-connect for classroom continuity
- Role-based user access built into the application (student/teacher/admin modes)
Backend Services
- Node.js-powered backend managing users, content libraries, and token systems
- MongoDB database for storing educational content and interaction logs
- Secure APIs for syncing lessons, issuing tokens, and pushing data to analytics systems
Analytics & Reporting
- MQTT protocol used for real-time transmission of user activity events
- Integrated with Power BI and Metabase for dynamic dashboards and usage tracking
- Reports on content engagement, learning gaps, and internet access violations
Innovative Feature
The standout innovation was the token-based internet access engine. Rather than offering open web access, the platform used a credit-based system where teachers or performance-based rules issued timed tokens to unlock specific resources—like YouTube, research tools, or curated browsers.
This not only limited distractions but also gamified responsible internet usage. The system also ensured that all learning, browsing, and media consumption was controlled within a trusted ecosystem—reinforcing the idea of a classroom-first learning tool.
Value Delivered
- Delivered a fully functional, self-contained eLearning ecosystem to classrooms
- Enabled 99.9% adherence to usage rules with zero known cases of OS or app tampering
- Allowed teachers to lead and manage digital classrooms with little to no training required
- Reduced distractions significantly using the token-based access model
- Captured millions of data points to enable deeper content optimization and AI-driven insights in future rollouts
User Feedback
Teachers reported confidence in managing classroom activity digitally for the first time, without having to master complex tools. Students were focused and engaged, drawn to the structure and interactivity of the app interface. School administrators appreciated the system’s robustness, ease of deployment, and its alignment with modern learning outcomes.
The analytics layer gave stakeholders visibility into engagement levels, time spent on lessons, performance trends, and potential misuse—without requiring manual oversight or audits.
Conclusion
This initiative wasn’t just about deploying a new app; it was about building a complete learning operating system that operated independently, securely, and at scale. The fusion of OS lockdown, role-based app logic, controlled internet access, and real-time analytics made it possible to reinvent how digital education is delivered in classrooms.
The combination of secure hardware, smart software, and thoughtful UX resulted in a tool that schools could trust and adopt instantly—no installations, no guesswork, just focused, distraction-free learning from the moment the tablet powers on.
Impact Made
- Over 20,000 tablets delivered across African classrooms, each pre-configured with the learning OS
- Zero known breaches or bypasses of the locked-down app environment
- Enabled real-time classroom engagement and progress monitoring by teachers
- Introduced a smart, controlled model for granting internet access in schools
- Collected rich behavioral data to drive future content and feature updates
- Positioned the platform as a scalable blueprint for digital education across developing markets