[geeks] $100 One Laptop Per Child - grist for the mill

[William Kirkland]

On Nov 19, 2006, at 2:31 PM, geeks-request at sunhelp.org wrote:

> On Sun, Nov 19, 2006 at 12:12:17AM -0500, Charles Shannon Hendrix  
> wrote:
>> However, where it worked they first made sure that the people had
>> hands-on education, indoctrination in community will, survival  
>> skills, and basic knowledge of local organization.
>>
>> This was done hands-on and in person.
>>
>> When that was done, they made good use of things like computers
>> and other tools.
>>
>> When that was not done, the money spent on technology was wasted.
>>
>> You appear to think that this hands-on approach can be replaced  
>> with a $100 laptop, and I don't agree.

I suspect those who were able to obtain such a laptop would trade it  
for other things anyway. Until they *have* an education of some  
sorts, it's just a bunch of funny pictures and lines.

> I don't. I think it can be assisted by one. If you look at a $100  
> laptop as a poor man's computer, then it will fail. Poor people  
> living wherever are not real interested in having email, IM,  
> watching last night's CSI on the Internet etc.
>
> What they do need is simple educational tools, such as reading and  
> math training, books or simple videos on farming, building  
> construction, repairing pumps, sewage treatment etc.
>
> This can be provided by people or it can be provided by computer.  
> People are better than computers, computers are better than nothing.

A computer could be used as an aid to teaching, but typically people  
will be required to teach. The $100 would be better spent toward the  
people to teach than a laptop, or stable power, maybe even clean  
water treatment facilities ... there are just too many missing steps  
for those to make a $100 laptop useful.

> Geoff.
> -- 
> Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel gsm at mendelson.com  N3OWJ/ 
> 4X1GM
> IL Voice: (07)-7424-1667  Fax ONLY: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice:  
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--
bill.kirkland at gmail.com