One Laptop Per Child

After years of development and discussion, the One Laptop Per Child educational project spearheaded by MIT Media Labs founder, Nicholas Negroponte, is taking off. :)

When I first saw this photo of a classroom of Nigerian kids, each with their own laptop, it completely made me smile. It's an image of hope, and demonstrates that some dreams can come true. It's a recent photo of the One Laptop Per Nigerian Child project. How remarkable to imagine that kids in Nigeria are among the first worldwide to benefit from this global project which puts laptops in the hands of low-income kids - giving them the opportunity to tap into their own potential, learn to learn, and gain access to a world of knowledge.

I love this project.

As noted in the OLPC mission statement, "most of the nearly two–billion children in the developing world are inadequately educated, or receive no education at all. One in three does not complete the fifth grade."

By equipping kids with tools like OLPC, they gain access to knowledge and an opportunity for education, which in turn can help them help themselves and their families out of the cycle of poverty.

For two weeks in mid-November, people in the United States can buy one in a "Give One Get One" purchase strategy. For $400, you can buy one for yourself and give one to a child in a developing country.

These laptops are durable, waterproof, and dust-resistant. They are not easily damaged and have a screen that can be viewed in sunlight. They possess a camera so that kids can take photos and post them online. The model is called the "XO".

I saw a first-hand demonstration of this laptop last week at a networking event hosted by Craigslist Foundation in San Francisco. The "XO" is a simple machine. It's offered in the color green now but I understand it will be available in the colors of each country's national flag or soccer team.

Oh, this is one of the best parts! The "XO" is designed so that it can be maintained by the kids themselves. There is no hard drive - just an AMD processor. Is power a problem? Not for the "XO" since it can be powered by a special hand crank or with an inexpensive solar-powered screen. It runs on Linux open source software. Genius. :)

Finally, the "XO" has a lot of basic functions that are important for connecting kids with their peers in the classroom and with people worldwide. Since it was designed for kids in developing countries, it may not have all the bells and whistles - but - it has its fair share, including: access to the internet, video, music, and online books. Also, you can even view the screen in the sunlight, thanks to a special dual monitor for indoor and outdoor use. And it comes loaded with e-books to serve as a mini-library as well. It's amazing.

I enjoyed playing with the "XO", checking out its features, and imagining the many ways that kids worldwide can apply the knowledge and skills they gain to help themselves.

For a video demonstration of OLPC, check out this One Laptop Per Child demonstration. :)