![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Will giving computers to kids in the developing world improve education? To explain my concern, and what this artifact represents to me, let me just touch on the four assumptions on which the project was founded. How did seemingly otherwise people commit to the project, through their labour or financial investment, given the apparently naïve and utopian approach that it took? Does the desire to do good cloud judgment that much? Are we that dazzled by a cool technology or big hairy audacious goal? Or by a charismatic personality? What staggers me is how the project has gotten this far as it has without the basic assumptions being more broadly questioned and such questions being seriously answered. The answers appear to be viewed as self-evident and not worth even questioning. In fact, as we shall see, any suggestion to the contrary is typically answered by condescension and/or mockery. Should this be attempted on a global scale without any advance field trials or pilot studies?įrom the perspective of the OLPC project, the answer to every one of these question is an unequivocal "yes".Can that educational improvement be accomplished by giving the computers to the kids, with no special training for teachers?.Will having a thus better educated youth help bring a society out of poverty?.Will giving computers to kids in the developing world improve their education?.Since they are key to the thinking behind the OLPC project, I believe if fair to frame my discussion around the following four questions: The Underlying Belief System of the OLPC Project Hence, making a suitable computer suitable to that purpose and the conditions where it would be used, at a price point that would enable broad distribution, was a key part of the project. They become connected to each other, to the world and to a brighter future. Rather, the actual mission of the OLPC project was: … to empower the world's poorest children through education.Īs described by in their materials, the computer was intended to play a key role in this: With access to this type of tool, children are engaged in their own education, and learn, share, and create together. Ultimately, however, the machine was a means to an end, not the end itself. In short, some excellent work went into this machine, and that is all the more impressive, given the nature of the organization. Specifically, the display, for example, is innovative, and stands out due to its ability to work both in the bright sun (reflective) as well as in poorly lit spaces (emissive) – something that goes beyond pretty much anything else that is available on today’s slate computers or e-readers. In general, the team delivered a computer that could be produced at a remarkably low price – even if about double that which was targeted. The concept may be broken, nevertheless.įrom the perspective of hardware and software, one has to be impressed by much of what the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project was able to accomplish. This product is here to provide a reminder to keep a critical mind and questioning discourse, regardless of how seductive the technology, or how well intentioned the concept. I include it in this exhibition as a cautionary tale of how the object may help sell that concept, regardless how ill-conceived. ![]() GIS file, Page Layout file, Plugin file, Settings file, Spreadsheet, System file, Text, Web Format File & Misc file(doesn't fit in any other category) such as '.torrent'.I have this computer in my collection as a reminder of the delicate relationship between object and purpose, and how no matter how well one does on the former, it will likely have no impact on making a wanting concept any better. Evaluates and classifies file type based on it's extension as Īudio,Video,Raster Image, Vector Image, 3D Image, Backup file, CAD file, RAW Camera file, Compressed, Data file, Developer file, Disk Image, eBook, Encoded, Executable, Font, Game file, ![]()
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