My thoughts on One Laptop Per Child (OLPC)

How can you possible find any flaws with a company and a piece of hardware that promises to bring technology to the poorest children in the world. Yes, I am speaking of the OLPC program and the XO laptops created by MIT. This low cost computer is bringing technology to poor and third world countries. They are not letting the barriers of poverty or language stop today’s students from learning with the tools of the 21^st century. What a truly innovative program. Did I mention that the cost is between $188 to $100 dollars. Now this is something school districts can afford.

The OLPC program has partnered with Microsoft to enhance it’s newest feature, the dual booting XO. Mind blowing. Now students, or users will have a choice between their preferred OS. (Linux, here I come!) To read the May 16^th article, click here.

This is a wonderful initiative who’s benefits can be seen almost immediately. Poor or third world countries have a shortage of teachers, with networked computers, students can learn online, wouldn’t it be great if we had volunteer teachers available to teach these online courses. Many of these countries are educating students of different ages and grades in the same classroom. I think the XO will help to solve the major gap that must be an issue for any educator dealing with such a diverse group of students. The introduction of the laptop will introduce self paced learning. Students will be able to learn grade appropriate material at their own pace and most likely, in their own language. We also need to keep in mind that children in these countries are often brought into the school environment at different points in their life. They do not necessarily start at the same age or level of ability. Having technology available not only in the school but in the home may help these students to catch up to their counterparts if not feel more successful in what they do accomplish. The nation of Nepal was one of first governments to test pilot this program. This is the first ever pilot distribution of the laptop in Nepal, and it is codenamed “Sunrise”. Visit OLPC Nepal blog to learn more about the program, the importance to it’s users and view great pictures of the ceremony and the student with their new laptops.

Thank you MIT for making such a worthwhile product for such a worthy cause. Our children.

1:1 Learning, Laptops in the Classroom

The world is changing as it always does and we as educators need to change with it. That is why I am a strong believer in the 1:1 laptop programs seen in such states such as Maine. They have purchased laptops for their students and the program has been very successful. Yet they are not alone, The Reed Union School District in San Francisco has also adopted the 1:1 laptop use and have found both positives and negatives, deciding the positives outway the negatives and the laptops will indeed stay. As one teacher states:
"I'm not lecturing at them anymore," Jeffrey said, as her students worked on reports about discrimination and the civil rights movement. "This kind of assignment becomes fun for them; they're finding their own information, building it as they go along, instead of having me read it to them".

Isn't this what the new thoughts in education are all about, allowing students to synthesis information? Another article I found from Apple brings home this point nicely. They have helped to bring laptop programs to many school districts including Shoreline School District. This district has a laptop for each student and teacher in grades 5 -12. The results have been impressive, teachers communicate more which helps with curriculum mapping. Students are able to work on assignments and do research when they are not at school. It is also helping with academic assessment, making it easier and more efficient. As the principal of Ecko Lake Elementary school observes:

“With the Apple notebooks, the actual act of teaching is quicker, better, and much more accurate.”

It is enlightening to see a school district and community that views technology as absolutely essential in education, and understands that notebooks offer the tools students need to succeed in today’s world, a highly technical world.

For a great video on the one to one initiative viewthe video by MIT professor, Nicholas Negroponte titled "What if Every Child Had a Laptop".