Tuesday, May 26, 2009
BLOG 4- One Laptop per Child
I found a great video clip about a very interesting program designed to give every child in the world a laptop computer! Click the link under WEBSITES for Classes 11-16 Links called: One Laptop per Child. What is your reaction to watching this? Why is providing technology to children one of the most important things that can be given to someone? Can access to technology really that important? Why or why not?
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I found this video clip to be very inspiring. It made me want to buy a laptop just so a child who needed one would receive one. It's not because these children live in poverty that I wanted to supply them with a laptop, but because I believe in providing technology to children.
ReplyDeleteProviding technology to a child is like opening up a whole new world for them. Especially providing a child living in a three world country with a laptop. A situation like that will change that child's life forever. There is no doubt in my mind that providing a child with a piece of technology such as the laptop is life changing for that child. It's an experience that those children wouldn't even come close to experiencing without the power of technology.
I feel technology is so important because it provides opportunities to children. With out the use of technology a child's life in today's world would not be the same. I feel this way because everything is changing so quickly that it is impossible to keep up in everyday life without technology. Living without some form of technology is like living in a dark hole by yourself. I am not saying everyone has to be an expert in technology or have every technological device available. I just believe everybody should have the opportunity to experience it.
I think that this is a really good idea for children who cannot afford to get their own computer. There are plenty of wealthy people who can afford to buy children who cannot afford their own computer, a laptop. I think it would also be easy to take this idea and turn it into a really sucessful fund raiser.
ReplyDeleteThis is really good because children need technology so badly in order to succeed in today's world. If someone could just provide children with the technology that they need to succeed than they are providing the child with a better education and, I think, less stress. When kids do not have a computer they will stress out over when they will have time to do an assignment that needs to be typed or that they need the internet for but with this program they won't have to worry anymore.
This would just provide students with an enourmous opportunity to have a better education. The students will be less stressed out which would cause them not to dread school so much. This is something that every child should have.
After watching this video, I had mixed emotions. I was excited at first about this project. I feel that the idea is great and that the children will be benefiting from having thier own laptop. On the other hand, I was upset that if I want to have one for my child, I must purchase one for another child in a poor country. It's not that I dont want to help a child out, it's just that they would be forcing me to buy the laptop for someone. If I feel like doing a good dead and giving to someone who is less fortunate I want it to be because I feel like doing it and for the right reasons, not because someone said I have to!
ReplyDeleteProviding technology to a child is so important because their is so much they can do with it. On the video, what stuck out to me was the increase in school attendance because of these laptops and the availability of technology. Having this will change the education for all the students and it will change their life. The fact that it is made to withstand the living conditions of these poor children is amazing! This piece of equipment will become this child's life source and best friend!
Acess to technology is really important not only for us but especially for these children living in poverty. They dont have much, and for them to be able to better themselves through an education with technology is amazing! These children were teaching their families how to use the laptops because they are so excited about them. Also, the families are using the computer as their main light source around their homes at night because they do not have electricity. This technology is providing these children with an education, but also with a little bit better of a life style. Without technology we would have nothing to do! It is everywhere around us all the time, and these children are just discovering it for the first time. For them to have the chance to experience something as powerful as technology is very important and forever going to change their lives!
I thought it was amazing that this man made a laptop so affordable for the average person to buy. It's also nice to see that if you want it for that price you have to buy one for a child in a poverty stricken country. If you think about it that's going to be around $400 for both laptops, that's still cheaper than a laptop normally runs. I think it's also great that it's giving these children a chance at a better opportunity in life, maybe one day these kids can get their countries out of poverty because they are given the technology so they can excel in learning. I really thought it was amazing that the students were also allowed to bring home their laptops to show their families, and here they are teaching them how to use the laptop and they are also providing their homes with light. When you think about it what better way to help out the world than providing students with the right tools for life in todays world, and this is giving them the opportuning to be the best they can be, also in participating in this wonderful cause you get to have that warm, fuzzy feeling in side knowing you helped out not just children but whole families get a better understanding of what the world is about, and maybe help out these kids to succeed in life and make their homes a better place to live in and better for the future.
ReplyDeleteI thought that this video clip was very interesting and it led me into thinking about how laptops would benefit children that live in poverty. The thing I found to be most beneficial is that the laptops taught the children how to speak a second language. One boy that the camera zoomed in on was reading along with the computer in English. This gave that child a huge advantage because he most likely will speak English before his teacher will. This can give him a leg up in the future and give him more opportunities. Children have an easier time learning when they are younger and I believe that technology can help them learn more skills and improve their society. Children are the future and if we can encourage them to go to school and get a better education, then they can help lead their nation into modernization and a better standard of living.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the movie clip and reading about the article I had very mixed emotions. I think it is kind of ridiculous to tell someone that if thy want to buy a laptop for 200$ they MUST buy another one to give away. I mean I am not against helping charitable causes but to force someone into is different. I also think that these kids need other things to help them in life besides a computer. I understand having a computer would be helpful, but what about the essentials such as clothes, food, shelter, and even when it comes to school materials such as books, pencils, pen, backpacks, ect. I think when people are in need the last thing they are thinking about is the latest technologies.
ReplyDeletehey Dr. Pratt That last post was by me (Ryanne) not some girl named Jor, who is my little sister, I didnt know she was logged in, Im sorry
ReplyDeleteI found this video to be very inspiring and immediately wanted to go out and buy a one of his laptops, even though I didn't have a child. As soon as the video clip started, I had so many questions about everything, most of which were answered in the video. One of my main thoughts on the issue was, why buy a laptop for a child when that money could go towards health care, or food. I understand his defense that education will pay off dividends, but he seems to doge the question completely. I suppose that issue is going to come down to personal preference, whether or not you think education is the bigger pay off, or putting money into an organized charity. I also agree with Ryanne that obligating someone to purchase another 200$ laptop is a bit unfair. Hopefully this is something that he can work out when he teams up with Intel, as mentioned at the end of the video, even though Intel doesn't seem to be very cooperative at all.
ReplyDeleteI really think that this one laptop per child idea is fantastic, and there were several things that stood out to me. One of them was the statistic that there was a fifty percent increase in the school attendance. I thought that this was outstanding, and it is truly amazing that a few computers could spark the interest of so many people. In the video, the point was brought up that the students would not really learn the ins and outs of the computer, because they had to learn on there own. However, I think that while the children will learn most of it on their own, the teachers in school will be there to help them fill in the gaps that they may have. Furthermore, the children then take the laptop home with them and teach it to their parents, and there is even more learning and mastery skills that come with teaching it to someone else.
Something else that I thought was sad throughout the video, was that all of these corporations wanted to get in on the action, solely for the fact that they could stamp their names on the whole thing and make a profit. It seemed that Intel was trying to save face in the interview and wave off the claims against them, but when it came down to actually being on a committee with him, they were no where to be found. I also think that schools could really do great things with this. Having parents and students fundraise for this cause would be perfect, especially if the school adopted a village somewhere. The possibilities are endless with this project, and I'm excited to see where it will go in the future.
My first reaction to this video was WOW! This idea was a very good one. Giving kids access to the internet is an amazing thing to do. Especially since these kids might not have had the chance before. This is a great cause and i hope it grows in the future. Technology has become a fast and easy way for people to get their information. It also opens you to the world. You are able to look up anything you want to. Kids can look up different countries and languages. That way they are not closed off from the rest of the world anymore. I hope more people get involved with this and every kid will someday be able to use a computer when they would like to.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching this article I was amazed. I think that this is an excellent idea. You can never get a laptop for $200, so what is the harm in paying $400 and opening SOOO many possibiliteis to needy children. Technology is the gateway to the future. Yes, these children need other basic needs so I can understand why it may seem a little silly to some by sending over a laptop. However, we want these children to know about everything that is out there and one day maybe THEY will be the ones helping out because of resources that were provided to them. Giving these children a laptop is like giving them a new look on life.
ReplyDeleteMy reaction to this video is that I thought it was awesome. It's a really great idea for those children in need. Many people who spend thousands of dollars on lap tops shouldn't have a problem buying two laptops for $400, especially if it's for a good cause.
ReplyDeleteProviding technology to children is so important because technology is all around us, and it is growing and expanding every day. These children need experience with technology so they can further themselves in the real world.
Access to technology is extremely important because without access, there is obviously no way to get experience with technology. These children need to have these laptops because this could be the only way they ever get any experience.
When I saw this video I thought it is a great idea. I had many questions about it for ex. battery, and would it handle the conditions in other conditions. They thought of all the problems and had solutions. I was amazed at all the unique features it has ans especially the battery life and how to charge it. Then I think of other things like those countries are in need of food, shelter, water, and health care. Why should some countries spend there money on these computers. I do beleive in everyone having a fair share in education, but I also beleive in everyone having a fair share in health also.
ReplyDeleteI thought the video and article were really interesting, but I don't quite understand why children receive lap tops who aren't in school. It's great that kids are learning, but could a laptop possibly be useful if the child doesn't know how to use it the right way? Technology definitely is a great way for kids to learn, and is a necessary element in school. I just think that kids have to be taught about technology before they can learn from it. It was really cool that they could do this for those kids so inexpensively.
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