Can a laptop really change the future of a child in the developing world? IT professor Nicholas Negroponte, believes so, and it was his vision 5 years ago, which has now begun production. One Laptop Per Child (OLPC), has it's first order to fill, thanks to Uruguay, who ordered 100,000. Some are surprised that production has begun, as OLCP originally said they would not begin production until 3 million orders where received. Mongolia may follow in Uruguay's footsteps with the purchase of 20,000 of the laptops ‘$100 laptop’ begins production -BBC( ‘$100 laptop’ begins production -BBC).
The XO laptop, which is nicknamed the $100 laptop, is actually $188, however OLPC eventually plans to sell them for $100. Nonetheless the XO is not just a laptop which could change a child's life, but its a green machine, as it only uses 1 watt of power, while Energy Star-compliant laptops use no more up to14 watts idling.
The project has stirred up both excitement and a great deal of controversy. While no one disputes the value of education to any child, and there is no doubt that in an ever shrinking world, technology is a vital key to the future. However is a computer a pressing need for a child who can scarcely rely on adequate nutrition and healthcare?
“Children will suffer if governments divert scarce resources away from essential services. To avoid that outcome, professor Negroponte should channel his ingenuity into a product compatible with existing markets. Success will be achieved not by forcing technology on children, but by bringing children to technology” (Let Them Eat Laptops).
You can see Nicholas Negroponte in a 60 Minute interview taped earlier this year. In the interview he is asked about such ‘hurdles’ as lack of electricity, when providing children with a laptop. It is Negroponte's view that we need to then go into that remote village and bring them power, to drop in satellite. He claims the expense in the long run is cheap and worth it, but is it? Who is going to pay for the initial installation, and then who pays for the monthly expenses? According to Negropnte, say 300 children share the power, it could only run $0.30 per child, yet in some communities mere pennies is far from mere, and could be used for much needed food and water.
Other arguments against the OLPC project, have included a lack of training for teachers on how to implement laptops into their curriculum and use them as an educational tool. What do you think, are inexpensive laptops a good idea for children in the developing world, or should we be putting our money into other sustainable development avenues? Share your views with all of the FPA readers, and post a comment today!
