Powerful mate revs up remote students (fwd link)

[Resa C Bizzaro]

Osiyo, everyone.  I have a response about the computers, and it may 
shed some light on Jennifer's question below.

My neighbor is a computing consultant.  About six months ago, he asked 
if it would be ok for him to give my four year old one of these 
computers.  (My neighbor had donated a computer, so he received a free 
one as a result.)  Of course, we said yes.  The system is really 
interesting, and my son loves to play with the different applications.

As far as these computers preventing students from attending school, I 
don't think that would be the case.  (I'll admit I might be naive 
about this issue.)  Although they're "real" computers, they are 
incredibly slow.  They do not process language in the same ways 
"regular" desktops and laptops do.  I believe they could be strong 
supplements to education, but they cannot take over the education 
itself.  At least that's my opinion.

Resa



On Sat, 30 May 2009 10:05:25 +0900
  Jennifer Teeter <teeter42 at GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> Hello everyone!
> 
> Thank you Phil Cash Cash for sending out another thought provoking 
> article! This is my first time to post something here so yorkshiku 
> onegaishimasu(I hope it's okay!)
> I am curious to hear people's opinions of the "One laptop per Child" 
> initiative mentioned in this article. I am a little concerned with 
>the  approach not necessarily the lap top itself. The teachers at the 
> school are saying it is making their lives easier. But is that 
>causing  them not to deeply confront and overcome the issues that 
>prevent  students from attending school. I feel that if used 
>improperly, the  laptop solution could be a bandaid solution. What 
>are the best ways to  implement this program? If you have time it 
>would be great to gear  your opinions.
> 
> Best regards
> 
> jennifer teeter
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On 2009/05/30, at 2:15, phil cash cash <cashcash at EMAIL.ARIZONA.EDU> 
> wrote:
> 
>> Powerful mate revs up remote students
>>
>> REBEKAH CAVANAGH
>> May 28th, 2009
>> Northern Territory News, AUS
>>
>> MOVE over conventional laptops - these Territory kids are crossing  
>> the digital
>> divide with "green machines".
>>
>> Weighing 1.5kg and just 24.2cm long and 22.8cm wide, the compact XO 
>> 
>> laptop is
>> being delivered to disadvantaged primary school-aged children across 
>> 
>> the nation
>> as part of the One Laptop per Child initiative.
>>
>> About 100 students from Shepherdson College on Elcho Island, about  
>> 550 km
>> northeast of Darwin, were among the first to receive the new  
>> learning tool.
>>
>> Access full article below:
>> http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2009/05/28/54355_ntnews.html