It’s about the size of a small textbook. It has built-in wireless and a unique screen that is readable under direct sunlight for children who go to school outdoors. It’s extremely durable, brilliantly functional, energy-efficient, and fun.
That’s the description, on the One Laptop Per Child site, of the XO, an amazing, highly portable, highly durable, small laptop computer specially designed and made for children in developing countries.
Yesterday I had the privilege of seeing one of these amazing devices close-up and hearing about them from local Gold Coast business owner and software developer Steve Dalton.
If you would like to learn more about this wonderful project, One Laptop Per Child and maybe join with those who are helping with development and distribution, here are some links:
One Laptop Per Child – http://laptop.org
Friends site – community site and blog – http://olpcfriends.org
Gold Coast, Australia, group – http://groups.google.com/group/osdgc
Photo credit: Cameroon 1 – One Laptop Per Child – Creative Commons
Des Walsh
Latest posts by Des Walsh (see all)
- Farewell My Lovely Blog Thinking Home Business - December 15, 2020
- Work From Home to Navigate the Future - April 2, 2020
- Rediscovering Conversation - January 18, 2020
Very interested in how this unusual looking netbook like laptop will be used in schools or as homework/assignment assistantants at the home. I looked at Wikipedias site on the OLPC mission and history and am impressed with Peru and Urugay really taking the educational laptop offer seriously. Some schools in NSW are also taking an interest I see from a quick google at whats happening with OLPC in Australia. Like you mention in this interview it could be a helpful tool in teaching in remote aboriginal and marginal communities. It seems more educators in the mainstream could explore the potential educational applications and fire up interest and support by parents and child enthusiasts! Well done to add your support with this interview, Karin
Karin
I believe it would go very well in schools in Australia generally and also, as you say, in remote communities. One of the things I was struck by in talking with Steve was that although the laptop *looks* a bit like a toy it is evidently very rugged and able to sustain some tough treatment.