Providing the Right Tools to Empower Teachers and Students in Rural Schools
Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeast Caribbean Sea, with a total population of 3.4 million. Spanish and English are the official languages, with Spanish being the dominant language. Except for specialized English classes, Spanish is the primary language of instruction from primary through secondary education. At the university level, both English and Spanish are used.
As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico has a solid education system, with a literacy rate of 98.85% as of 2010. School attendance is mandatory between the ages of 6 and 17, covering elementary through high school. According to the 2010 Census, 60% of the population had completed a high school diploma or higher level of education.
While technology is more commonly available in higher education institutions, access to information technology remains limited across many primary and secondary schools—especially in rural districts. In these areas, teachers face the added challenge of keeping students engaged and in school, as dropout rates are higher.
In 2016, Critical Links partnered with Global Education Exchange Opportunities (GEEO) to deploy a number of C3 Micro-Cloud units in their schools. GEEO is a Puerto Rico-based organization founded in 2008, dedicated to identifying and applying best practices in education and management from around the world, aiming to promote academic and socioeconomic development. Most of their schools are located in rural regions where internet access is unreliable at best—significantly impacting lesson planning and delivery.
We spoke with Claribel Reyes, GEEO’s Academic Director, who shared how the C3 Micro-Cloud is transforming teaching and learning:
“Before using the C3 Micro-Cloud, the internet often didn’t work. Teachers had to prepare materials at home, and students couldn’t use technology tools in the classroom.”
She continued,
“The integration of the C3 Micro-Cloud into classrooms gives teachers the opportunity to reduce the time spent searching for instructional materials, grading tests, and planning lessons. We sometimes conduct online tests using automatically gradable forms, which saves time for other classroom activities.”
Teachers play a crucial role in student success. They are always searching for innovative ways to make their lessons more engaging and effective. It is essential to attract and retain great educators, particularly in rural schools, by equipping them with the right tools.
Claribel emphasized:
“C3 Micro-Cloud is a viable solution for integrating technology into classrooms, enhancing communication, and developing students’ organizational skills. It also contributes to increased motivation among both teachers and students.”
Puerto Rico’s future depends on how its young learners are educated today. Technology in the classroom can significantly boost students’ skills and knowledge. It’s critical to provide students in rural schools with educational conditions equivalent to those in urban areas—preparing them for higher education and life beyond school.
Using technology is a powerful way to achieve these goals. It captures students’ interest and helps develop essential 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. In Puerto Rico, students are now learning in ways that better prepare them for the future.
So far, 1,072 students have benefited from the implementation of the C3 Micro-Cloud in GEEO schools, gaining access to internet-based content and curriculum that enhance their learning experience. Additionally, C3 Micro-Clouds are being used in an adult education program with 344 enrolled learners.
Teachers are also seeing significant benefits—gaining immediate access to rich content directly in the classroom, making lesson planning more efficient and impactful. Together, we are helping to prepare Puerto Rico’s students for a brighter, more connected future.
