This article reports on a project that explores strategies for narrowing the digital divide by providing a practicable e-learning option for the millions living outside the ambit of high performance computing and communication technology. The concept is introduced of a "learning computer," a low bandwidth tool that provides a simplified, specialised e-learning environment which works with or without an internet connection. This concept is contrasted with the Learning Management System model widely adopted by universities, in which teaching material is accessed as web pages from a central repository. The development of an initial prototype and its field testing under realistic conditions is reviewed, and plans for future work outlined. (Contains 4 figures.)