MIT unveils $100 (U.S.) laptop

[jason]

This is something that I've been interested in and have been talking about for some time... thank god it is finally an option. Perhaps there are problems with it, but it is moving in the right direction. Thanks to Aaron Chan who was my student in ECE912 a couple of years ago for pointing this out to me

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1127902678881&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154&t=TS_Home&DPL=IvsNDS%2f7ChAX&tacodalogin=yes

Comments

[susan3.livejournal.com]

I am a laptop user and know how vital this piece of tech. is to me for school purposes. Even though like you said there are a few problems with the device I think that this idea is somewhat amazing. My only concern is that if they introduce this type of tech to children will they still be able to learn the fundamentals of printing and handwritting. Having this type of tech. in third world countries is such an asset to their education. It also worries me that it could become so popular that education everywhere will demand that children have one to use. Unfortunatly not every family will be able to afford one. If it does come out on the market it would be interesting to see one and what it can do.

[complicittheory.livejournal.com]

good points all around. I think that the idea is that these tools are cheap enough to buy one for every kid on the planet. So they can watch nike commercials. Instead of giving them access to safe drinking water and more educational opportunities for women. Cheap technology is a good thing, but I'm always skeptical.

[akrawczyk.livejournal.com]

A propos technology and education - there was an interesting article in Toronto Star, last Wednesday Sep 28. It's called "Clicking with students" and it's about this new method of teaching university students using a TV remote-like keypad. Another controversial idea to think about.
You can get the article by going to www.thestar.com

[roger-kuin.livejournal.com]

It sounds interesting, if utopian. If they are thinking in millions, how soon will it be before Dell leapfrogs them with a for-profit $150 laptop?
What worries me more is that the speed of operating systems' and software's obsolescence will undo much of the value of those laptops. Because how can you keep that obsolescence out of those villages once the kids hook up the Net? If a kid gets the puter at age 8, by age 15 he will be 3-5 software generations behind. And his next laptop will cost $1,200. Moreover, he will have gotten a craving for X-Box, Nintendo and iPods.

$100 Laptops

[acarreiro.livejournal.com]

What a great idea, if this comes to fruition it will change the lives of many children who may not have had such an opportunity otherwise. I agree with Sue's comment that emphasis does still need to be placed on the children's ability to learn writing by hand. If this does move in the right direction, imagine all the other possibilities that these children would be given by becoming familiar with this technology. I think its great!