Discussing the News (One Laptop per Child)
Eduardo Rocha
I would like to propose another theme for discussion: One Laptop per
Child project.
I've been reading about this project for a while (for example, take a
look at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7094695.stm ). It was
proposed by Mr. Negropont, a professor at MIT, and its objective is to
develop and distribute a very cheap notebook to poor children in
developing countries. Recently, the Intel company quit the project to
develop its own cheap notebook (see
http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-01-08-voa26.cfm). Besides, many of
the countries that supposedly would buy the computers give up too.
Personally, I think this project can really help children learn
better. Many people think that it is just a toy, but I don't think so.
Computers can be a very useful didactic tool. There are plenty of
educational software available and many more can be developed.
Besides, these computers may help the children to communicate with
other children around the world, and doing so, to allow them to learn
about other cultures.
In the other hand, many of the countries where these computers will be
used don´t have basic scholar materials, such as chairs, chalk, books
etc. So, Wouldn't it be better spend money on this things? I also
think that books, pencil and old-fashion childhood games are very
important in the learning process.
So, what do you think. The governments should or not invest in cheap notebooks?
Regards,
Eduardo R.
Rafael Oshiro
I think this idea of spreading the technology knowledge to poor children is amazing, and it´s fantastic how they can produce a very cheap laptop. In Brazil they have this idea too, but, as you´ve said, some places in the World children don´t have even basic materials such as pen, notebooks, chairs, ect.
In my opinion, this project of cheap laptop is more useful for developed countries, where they have a very good basis of education.
My best regards
Rafael
anurag barthwal
Hi Eduardo!
I think this idea of spreading the technology knowledge to poor children is amazing, and it´s fantastic how they can produce a very cheap laptop. In Brazil they have this idea too, but, as you´ve said, some places in the World children don´t have even basic materials such as pen, notebooks, chairs, ect.
In my opinion, this project of cheap laptop is more useful for developed countries, where they have a very good basis of education.
My best regards
Rafael
On Jan 20, 2008 8:49 PM, Eduardo Rocha <eroch...@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi,
I would like to propose another theme for discussion: One Laptop per
Child project.
I've been reading about this project for a while (for example, take a
look at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7094695.stm ). It was
proposed by Mr. Negropont, a professor at MIT, and its objective is to
develop and distribute a very cheap notebook to poor children in
developing countries. Recently, the Intel company quit the project to
develop its own cheap notebook (see
http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-01-08-voa26.cfm ). Besides, many of
Eduardo G.
I agree with you. Could someone learn feeling hungry ?
Not I think. Undoubtedly, cheap computer are good for everyone but there is other more important subjects in the check list.
In BBC news Dr Igwe Aja-Nwachuku said: "What is the sense of introducing One Laptop per Child when they don't have seats to sit down and learn; when they don't have uniforms to go to school in, where they don't have facilities?"
It´s true. So, think to be more useful in some circumstances not all.
Take care
Eduardo G. (edgnets)
Eduardo Rocha
The notebook specifications seem to be good. I haven't seen it before.
Personally, I think these machines (including the OLPC one) can be
very useful for education. But, as said Eduardo G., it is more
important to feed people. But, how can the parents feed their
children if they don't find job. And how can they find job if they
don't have 'know how'? That is like a vicious circle. So, I think the
government in developing countries should invest heavily in education
to break this cicle.
It seems nice what India is doing. Yesterday, I saw a report in BBC
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7202545.stm) about the trend in
using each time more IT as a way to improve the country. So, what can
you say about that Anurag?
Regards,
Eduardo R.
Mia (belgium)
One laptop per child ! A low cost computer, that's a great idea of
course but I'm not sure it will be so successful in poor countries. If
we introduce that to Eastern countries, like Romania for example, it
will be a very good thing for those kids who are cope with financial
problems, poor and expensive internet connexion but I fear that it
will be harder in very poor countries. Basically in such countries,
parents have other priorities for the kids. In extremely poor
countries, I fear it will not work. When the kid is between life and
dead suffering from starvation, severe deseases, I don't think that he
will be able to use a laptop. Those kids need another kind of help
before education.
Regarding other poor countries, those which are more developed but
facing big problems of employment, I guess that eating is a critical
issue there and I'm not sure that people will authorize their kids to
get a loptap. Usually in those countries, if the kids are healthy,
they have to work for helping their parents and most of those parents
are not educated and they will not understand and admit why the kids
have to spend a lot of time on a computer for learning instead of
working. I think that the launch of low cost computers in such
countries will be successful only if there is a change of culture and
this change of culture together with an improvement of their social
status. I am not trying to say on a categorical way that there is no
education if there is no work and money but we are not far from that;
It's a vicious circle actually.
I hope that industrialized countries will help them to change their
status and will generate a change of culture at the same time. We all
must believe in a better world and the first step is certainly
Education. It's obvious that that change will not occur very fast, it
will be progressive and there that laptop is a great idea there
because kids will be able to learn and work at the same time and
that's probably the beginning of the change. For them learning with
their laptop will be probably easier and cheaper than going to school
and it will also be the starting point of the end of child labor.
Besides, I too think that all kids should be able to get a low cost
laptop, even in our countries. I think that e-learning is the future.
All kids should have the same chance of learning more by e-learning
and you and I know that even in our rich countries, all kids don't
possess either a computer or internet. That's why I too guess that we
should generalize those low cost computers.
Mia
On Jan 23, 11:43 pm, "Eduardo Rocha" <erocha....@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Anurag,
>
> The notebook specifications seem to be good. I haven't seen it before.
> Personally, I think these machines (including the OLPC one) can be
> very useful for education. But, as said Eduardo G., it is more
> important to feed people. But, how can the parents feed their
> children if they don't find job. And how can they find job if they
> don't have 'know how'? That is like a vicious circle. So, I think the
> government in developing countries should invest heavily in education
> to break this cicle.
>
> It seems nice what India is doing. Yesterday, I saw a report in BBC
> (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7202545.stm) about the trend in
> using each time more IT as a way to improve the country. So, what can
> you say about that Anurag?
>
> Regards,
>
> Eduardo R.
>
>
>
>
> > Hi Eduardo!
> > In India, work is in progress on the 'One Laptop Per Child'
> > Project, and HCL, the Information Technology giant I work with, launched the
> > first OLPC Laptop, in collaboration with the Indian government. I costs less
> > than Rs.14,000/- (US $ 350). It was launched by the Information and
> > Broadcasting Minister of India along with the Chairman of HCL Infosystems. I
> > am attaching the specifications of the newly launched Laptop. I am not sure
> > whether the government plans to distribute these laptops to the
> > school-children for free, or they'll be available at a heavily discounted
> > price. I told you this to make you aware how the OLPC Project is shaping up
> > in countries other than Brasil. I will express my opinion on the utility of
> > this Project in next mail.
> > Thanks and Regards
> > Anu
>
> > > Hi Eduardo!
>
> > > I think this idea of spreading the technology knowledge to poor children
> > is amazing, and it´s fantastic how they can produce a very cheap laptop. In
> > Brazil they have this idea too, but, as you´ve said, some places in the
> > World children don´t have even basic materials such as pen, notebooks,
> > chairs, ect.
>
> > > In my opinion, this project of cheap laptop is more useful for developed
> > countries, where they have a very good basis of education.
>
> > > My best regards
> > > Rafael
>
>
> > > > Hi,
>
> > > > I would like to propose another theme for discussion: One Laptop per
> > > > Child project.
>
> > > > I've been reading about this project for a while (for example, take a
> > > > develop and distribute a very cheap notebook to poor children in
> > > > developing countries. Recently, the Intel company quit the project to
> > > > develop its own cheap notebook (see
>
> > > > Personally, I think this project can really help children learn
> > > > better. Many people think that it is just a toy, but I don't think so.
> > > > Computers can be a very useful didactic tool. There are plenty of
> > > > educational software available and many more can be developed.
> > > > Besides, these computers may help the children to communicate with
> > > > other children around the world, and doing so, to allow them to learn
> > > > about other cultures.
>
> > > > In the other hand, many of the countries where these computers will be
> > > > used don´t have basic scholar materials, such as chairs, chalk, books
> > > > etc. So, Wouldn't it be better spend money on this things? I also
> > > > think that books, pencil and old-fashion childhood games are very
> > > > important in the learning process.
>
> > > > So, what do you think. The governments should or not invest in cheap
> > notebooks?
>
> > > > Regards,
>
>
> - Show quoted text -
anurag barthwal
Eduardo Rocha
> I am sorry for not expressing my opinion about the OLPC Project earlier.
Don't worry. Just write when you have time. The objective here is
practice English and exchange ideas, so feel free to write anytime you
want to.
> In most of the rural India, there are primary schools that are devoid
> of basic infrastructure like furniture, electricity, shortage of teachers
> and it is difficult for children from poorer sections of the society to
> afford books and stationary.
What are the government and the Indian society doing to improve
educations in the rural areas? I think Brazil may learn a lot from the
improvements that India have got in the recent years. I've read
something about the improvements in the agriculture in these regions.
How you had increased the productivity of the rural areas using
intensive agriculture.
> About the BBC Report : I have not seen the BBC Report yet. I'll revert
> back to you after seeing the report. We can discuss it!
I will be happy to discuss with you about this report.
> Thanks and Regards
So, as I said before don't worry about answer quickly.
Regards,
Eduardo R.