engl202rjr

Robert Rhodes
Research writing
OLPC
The best source of information in the world may well be the internet. Does this mean a reasonable education may only be had with access to this source? Some believe this to be the case. If children in developing countries have access to the same information as the rest of the world they may have more opportunities at an education previously unimaginable. Giving access to this education possibility is the goal of the One Laptop Per Child project. This nonprofit organization is attempting to provide a low cost laptop to poor children in underdeveloped countries. There are many obstacles to overcome to make this a reality. There is yet to mention that providing these computers and access as an education resource may not be the best use of meager budgets to fund education in these countries.

Outline: In this discussion of the One Laptop per Project I will attempt to cover multiple aspects of the OLPC project to include:
Are the education benefits of a program such as this worth the cost?
Would the funds for these computers be better used for other tools for education?
What other programs have been instituted with similar goals, and what amount of success was achieved?
Will the computers be durable enough to withstand years of abuse in harsh environments?
Is the hardware and programming on these laptops up to the task?
Is this project likely to meet the goals set forth?
Theme: technology impact in the third world
Broad topic: How is new technology being used in third world countries
Concept streams: One laptop per child
Relevant conversation: -Government funding for education
-Foreign aid programs
- How are resources being used in developing countries?
Working research questions: Will cheap computers be worth the cost?
How could these funds be better used?
Focused research question: Will low cost laptops be an effective use of resources for education in underdeveloped countries?
Bibliography
Educating Africa
One Laptop per Child http://olpc.com/
One Laptop per Child
Patel, Nilay “OLPC XO may be on sale by Christmas for $350” Engadget (2007)
Sellgren, Katherine. “Third World Schools Sucked Dry” BBC News (2002) http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/1898800.stm
“Third World Debt” Just Comment (Volume 3 Number 4, 2000)
Walsh, Katherine. “AMD Bringing Web Access to Third World” PC World (July 17, 2007)

Theme: technology impact in the third world

Broad topic: How is new technology being used in third world countries

Concept streams: One laptop per child

Relevant conversation: -Government funding for education
-Foreign aid programs
- How are resources being used in developing countries?

Working research questions: Will cheap computers be worth the cost?
How could these funds be better used?

Focused research question: Will low cost laptops be an effective use of resources for education in underdeveloped countries?

What research has been done on the effects of computer usage on thought patterns? Do those not exposed to computers at a young age need more time to learn how to use them, or do they think differently than those that have grown up using computers? Many have heard of parents admitting that their children know how to use computers better than themselves.

The chinese government used cell phone text messaging to warn 150,000 of flood danger.

(www.chinanews.cn 2007-07-11 10:18:29)

While blogging may be a very good addition to information sources, it would be unwise to take the information found in blogs as complete truths. Many posters in blogs are more concerned with demonstrating how their opinions are the correct than they are with spreading facts on a subject. The facts found in blogs may well be facts but these are likely for the purpose of expressing the author’s opinion. If the facts are checked with reliable sources web blogs may encourage other sources of information to deliver more complete less biased news.
Blogs can also be an outlet for individuals to find others with common interests and become the voice of many. One such example i’ve seen is an online campaign to save a television show. Fans of Jericho found out in nearly real time about the shows cancellation and started writing camplaints on the cbs forums, so many complaints that the sever went down multiple times. fans then linked information to a website that sells roasted peanuts online. The peanuts were shipped to CBS ceo’s in reference to a line from the show. After 40377 pounds of peanuts were shipped the show will be put back on the air in the next season. If people are willing to put forth this amount of effort for a cause as meager as this a larger cause could be brought to the attentions of many with similar effect.

I see this article as an accurate diagnosis of one of modern societies problems. Most people that grew up in the Generation Me have a stong entitlement attitude. There are alot of experts willing to point out the problem and place blame for the downturn, but i’ve yet to see any information as to how the problem may be corrected.
While everyone is so set on being the next billionaire that is world famous they dismiss the chance that they may be the next ditch digger. Some people are bound to be ditch diggers and when they become that they will only have given up on retaining some happiness in such a lowly position. The world will always need people to do jobs that are less that they would like and they should take pride in doing these jobs to the best of thier ability. Those that work as a garbage man for all thier life, everyday telling themelves this is only temporary, will only be comitted to misery.

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