OLPC

When Nathan brought in the laptop to class on Tuesday I knew exactly what it was. Back in 2007, I was watching a 60 Minutes vignette on CBS when they did a story about the dream of MIT prof Nicholas Negroponte. Which you can watch here at www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=2830221n . The idea came to him in a village in Cambodia. Negroponte and his family founded a school there in 1999, and equipped the school with a satellite and a generator. Once  computers were in the school attendance went way up. When laptops were given to the children the following year, there was a 50% increase in first grade attendance. The idea was that kids don't necessarily need teachers to learn how to use the computer. They would pick it up on there own or from friends. This computer has been designed for the child. Its the first computer that can be used outdoors in full sunlight, and can withstand water, heat, dirt, sand and any other natural elements. The battery can last 10-12 hours, and if it does, you can charge it up with a crank, or a salad spinner. It is a change in the way people use computers. He makes a great counterpoint citing thefts, the price of satellites, and higher competition (including Intel) as reasons against countries getting in on the OPLC. Yet, worldwide this small laptop computer can enable the way children can bridge the digital divide.

Negroponte is a true humanitarian by bridging the divide to students who cant afford normal computers. He is building the foundation to a better future for these 3rd world countries as well. We can only hope that his dream can be fulfilled in the future.