One Laptop Per Child Turns Homeward
Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:51AM EST
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In past posts about the One Laptop Per Child program to distribute affordable laptops to kids in developing countries, lots of Yahoo! Tech readers angrily questioned why the program doesn't extend to needy kids in the United States.
As one reader wrote: "There are too many kids right here in America who are technology challenged due to lack of resources. They deserve the learning experience as much as any other child."
OLPC hears you. Nicholas Negroponte, CEO of OLPC, says an OLPC America will take shape this year. It will be based in Washington, D.C. and will work through the 50 state governments.
He said the group always planned to extend laptop distribution to the United States but started with the developing world because of the overall stark difference in children's access to technology. The United States spends an average of $10,000 per child on primary education, while developing nations spend far less. Bangladesh, for example, spends an average of $20 per child.
Meanwhile, OLPC's Give One Get One program continues in the United States and Canada, allowing individuals to purchase two XO laptops for $400. One will be donated to a child in a developing country, and the other can be donated to anyone the buyer chooses. OLPC is looking to extend the program to Europe.
Conceived at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), OLPC is looking to extend its reach by turning homeward—and to compete better with other affordable laptop programs, including Intel's Classmate PC and Asus' Eee PC.
So, do you like OLPC more now?
LINK: One Laptop Per Child Extends to American Students [PC World via Yahoo!]
Related: Donate One Laptop per Child, Get One
Comments on One Laptop Per Child Turns Homeward
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2 Posted by lcarter43 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:57PM EDT Report Abuse
I have donated three laptops and purchased two for myself and my developmentally disabled brother. I am very disappointed in the performance of the laptops. They will probably be used for stepping stones in my garden this summer. I have only been able to connect to the internet twice with my laptop and twice with my brother's. We live in Western Washington where there are lots of wireless networks (I have one in my own home). It just won't connect and the 2 times it did it was very slow I just gave up. I have had them since December 20th 2007. I can't imagine what kind of connectivity they get in 3rd world countries. It is really neat looking and has lots possibility but right now it isn't worth anything.
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3 Posted by paulibtrin on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:03PM EDT Report Abuse
I don't no maybe it's just me but should'nt we be focusing on feeding people and providing safer environments for our children before we start handing out laptops?
1 Posted by hyperfamilyman on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:21PM EDT Report Abuse
I am glad to see someone is finally listening. I know those in third world countries need the laptops but I believe charity begins at home. Everyday on TV you see commercials for organizations donating this or that to other countries while those here go without. Maybe some people need to check out there own area before they start sending stuff overseas.