One Laptop Per Child (OLPC)

My first encounter with the idea of OLPC was quite recent. Actually, over the past Christmas break – I saw my first commercial (by amazon.com/xo) advertising the project.  Here’s the commercial I’m talking about – maybe you’ve seen it too.I think the commercial is well-filmed in promoting the fact that the XO can offer education in an effective way to students that live in poor conditions; however, are they ready for it?

What is significant, educationally, about this design?

– The design is “a rugged, low-cost, low-power, connected laptop with content and software designed for collaborative, joyful, self-empowered learning. When children have access to this type of tool they get engaged in their own education” (http://www.laptop.org/en/vision/index.shtml).

– My thought is – what does “their own education” really mean?  If the majority of XO laptops are donated or given to children that live in poor conditions – what kind of educational curriculum are they going to be learning from?  Is the student using the XO going to be learning anything about their own culture, people, background?  Or is the content North-American based?

What does this design tell us about the values that matter to its designers?

According to the above quote – it seems to me that they value something that can be a long-term tool for the student.  A tool that can stay with the student as s/he progresses with his/her educational career.

How have the designers taken into account the cultural setting where this educational technology will be used?

“By giving children their very own connected XO laptop, we are giving them a window to the outside world, access to vast amounts of information, a way to connect with each other, and a springboard into their future. And we’re also helping these countries develop an essential resource—educated, empowered children.” (http://www.laptop.org/en/vision/mission/index.shtml)

By reading this quote – it seems like the concept of culture is ignored because XO aims to help connect the student to the outside world (which is good in its own right) but as mentioned above – how about one’s own culture setting?

What critical questions might educators ask about this design and/or this initiative?

– Does the country/area/community ready have the technological backing/support (e.g. Internet connectivity, on-site support, etc.) to bring this tool in?

– Do other priorities come first before the XO (e.g. housing, food, water, etc.) is introduced or brought in?

Thanks,

Jason