...that it is crucial for children to be able to access relevant local information in their own language. What may appear intuitive to a western mind may not necessarily apply to other cultures, not least in terms of the myriad assumptions about how people think that are written into US and European software.
"You have to ask yourself to what extent are we influencing culture by taking a top-down approach? The Internet is mainly English-language and Western culture dominated so is it appropriate to people elsewhere? In my view, it would be better to develop local information first because it's about sensitivity to cultural issues too," says Grimshaw.
Top down approach
Tim Varney, a trustee of EdUKaid, an educational charity working in the Mtwara region of southern Tanzania, believes that the potential success or failure of OLTP could depend on where the project is taken up.
Interest is likely to be highest in more developed countries such as the former communist bloc, for example, where education is perceived as important and there is already a reasonable educational infrastructure in place, but where access to facilities is not as good as their western neighbours.
"But if you dumped a load of computers into Africa or other third world countries, they'd just gather dust. Without the basic teaching skills and people to implement projects of this type, they'll just become a toy to be played with or they'll pile up in a cupboard and not be used," Varney says.
Education is the best way to help countries develop according to Varney. If a school received 1,000 text books in Swahili but they weren't handed to the right people, they would still end up in that same cupboard, he says.
"You really need foot soldiers on the ground to provide back-up and training on how to use these things. There are no quick fixes for the problems in Africa and I'm struggling to think of the benefits computers would bring to children that haven't learned to read and write properly because they don't have the proper equipment to do so," says Varney
Moreover, one of the problems with the numerous charitable initiatives that have been undertaken with the best of intentions in the region is that people tend to make too many assumptions about what their beneficiaries require without consulting them first.
Too many assumptions
"You can go into schools and help teach, but at the same time, you don't want to impose western ideals onto a country that doesn't want them. It's been done too often and people are naturally becoming sceptical. You have to help them find their own way, but give direction and assistance on how to get there rather than make their decisions for them," Varney adds.
The consensus from the NGOs is that it's vital to work out a broader development strategy when introducing initiatives such as OLPC. "There has to be a clear reason to give computers to schools and you have to work...
For more, click here...
Talkback
Sounds to me like this is a great idea for providing laptops to cash strapped education services more in the developed countries and for infrastructure providers in the rest of the world...
I'm sure these would be great cost rudcers for a lot of NGO's that already have a need for laptops, rather than just throughing them at schools in africa to be yet another peice of technology they have little use for as they lack more basic facilities, such as buildings and teachers.
Not that I imagine IT manufactures really want to see a loss of market that they already have... rather than the potenial growing of the market they don't have... lots of african children seeking to upgrade later in life.
Good idea, shame it won't be used where it can do good now rather than maybe possibily later.
Wouldn't it be nice if through the reduction in NGO costs they could help assit with the more basic aspects of getting these children an education so that they could use these devices in the future.
"The aim of the $100 laptop initiative is to provide each child in the developing world with a laptop that can also act as an e-book, a tablet PC and a TV in a bid to help bridge the digital divide."
I'm glad to see people are concerning themselves with the problems of the developing world, however, considering that £15 is enough to provide one person with enough clean water for drinking, hygeine and sanatation in the developing world, I think that there are better things to spend $100 on!
Agreed, the developing world needs food and other basic things, you cannot eat a laptop, these people are on a different planet, $100 a person can do a lot more essential things than provide tv and the internet
The OLPC project is not attempting to solve all of the problems in developing nations. They are trying to provide kids with "a window to the outside world and tool with which to think" so that they can help themselves.
This is free, but it's not a hand out -- it's a hand UP.
Also, don't assume that every kid in developing nations is starving -- it's flatly not true. Of course there are a huge number who do need adequate food, water, and sanitary accomodations -- but if you are truly concerned then you'll get involved with one of the many organizations already dedicated to alleviating these needs. They can always use the help.
Also, this laptop will do quite a bit more than provide internet access. It will allow kids to create and share, it can be used as a tool to help them learn to read and write, it will be a means of communication first locally and eventually globally... the possibilities are limitless, especially as more kids get involved, play with the code, and teach their fellows.
This is not a tool for a vague future, it's the tool of tomorrow. Putting off its implementation would postpone dealing with educational needs just as it has been done for years now.
For now, if you think it's a good idea then lend a hand in its creation and implementation, help it become a reality.