One Laptop Per Child

Definition

One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) is a non-profit initiative launched in 2005 aimed at providing affordable, durable, and low-power laptops to children in developing countries to enhance their education and bridge the digital divide. The project emphasizes accessibility and affordability of technology as essential tools for learning, aiming to empower students by providing them with resources to explore and create.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The OLPC initiative aimed to provide laptops for children at a cost of around $100 each, making technology more accessible in underserved areas.
2. The laptops used in the OLPC program are designed to be rugged, weather-resistant, and energy-efficient, suitable for harsh environments.
3. OLPC also focuses on software that is free and open-source, ensuring that educational resources are not restricted by licensing fees.
4. The initiative has reached millions of children across various countries, including Ethiopia, Peru, and Afghanistan, promoting self-directed learning.
5. OLPC emphasizes the importance of local content creation and cultural relevance in educational materials provided on the laptops.

Review Questions

• How does One Laptop Per Child aim to address the issue of the digital divide in developing countries?
  • One Laptop Per Child addresses the digital divide by providing affordable laptops specifically designed for children in developing nations. By ensuring that these devices are accessible and equipped with educational software, OLPC empowers children with the tools necessary for modern learning. This initiative not only enhances educational opportunities but also helps cultivate a generation that can engage with technology effectively.
• Evaluate the impact of OLPC's approach to using open-source software on education in low-income areas.
  • OLPC's commitment to open-source software allows students in low-income areas to access a variety of educational tools without incurring licensing fees. This approach fosters creativity and collaboration among students as they can modify and improve upon existing programs. Furthermore, it encourages local developers to create culturally relevant content that resonates with the learners' environments, enhancing the educational experience.
• Synthesize the goals of One Laptop Per Child with broader global education initiatives and assess their collective potential for improving educational outcomes.
  • The goals of One Laptop Per Child align closely with broader global education initiatives that aim to enhance access to quality education for marginalized populations. By combining OLPC's focus on providing technology with efforts that emphasize teacher training, curriculum development, and infrastructure improvement, there is significant potential for transforming educational outcomes. This synthesis can lead to more holistic approaches that not only equip children with tools but also create supportive learning environments necessary for sustained academic success.

Related terms

Digital Divide: The gap between individuals who have easy access to digital technology and those who do not, often due to socio-economic factors.

E-Learning: Learning conducted via electronic media, typically on the Internet, allowing for remote education and access to resources.

Global Education Initiative: Programs and efforts aimed at improving educational access and quality worldwide, often focusing on marginalized populations.