Current issues and contemporary challenges

¶ … Laptop Per Child

Globalism in the modern world means many things. While primarily an economic idea, integrated communication via the Internet has brought the "one world" concept into reality. This has resulted in an economic, cultural and political environment that knows few geographic or chronological boundaries. However, since so much technological awareness and participation (e.g. educational opportunities, resource opportunities, etc.) requires a certain economic attainment, the world is likely to pass into a "Digital Divide." This term refers to "the fact that some groups of people have access to and regularly use computers, information, and communications technology, while others do not."

As a result, I believe that it is the duty of the wealthier and more developed nations to find a way to bridge this gap before it becomes endemic, and to help developing countries provide access to appropriate technology to their citizen. In fact, one particular non-profit organization, "One Laptop Per Child (OLPC)," is trying to do just that. Their mission statement:

"To create educational opportunities for the world's poorest children by providing each child with a rugged, low-cost, low-power, connected laptop with content and software designed for collaborative, joyful, self-empowered learning. When children have access to this type of tool they get engaged in their own education. They learn, share, create, and collaborate. They become connected to each other, to the world and to a brighter future."

Poor children around the world, particularly those in developing countries like China, India, Brazil, Columbia, and most countries in Africa, are not held back because they do not want to learn. Instead, their lack of access to technology and information that is needed to keep them current and adaptive in a global economy is sorely lacking. Fortunately, the price of computer chips and laptop manufacturing has dropped to the point where the OLPC developed a tool to address these issues -- the XO Laptop. This specialized computer is constructed specifically with the developing world in mind; high amounts of heat, humidity, dust, and the ability to be multilingual. The XO laptop is "extremely durable, brilliantly functional, energy-efficient, responsive, and fun."

The outcome was a laptop that was the size of a small textbook and weighed between 1.45 to 1.58Kg, costs between $180 to $240, could be powered by generator or solar power and even a hand crank, and contained many interactive hardware and software features such as a convertible screen, WIFI, and video camera that allowed the students to explore writing, drawing, and visual passions. Most important of all, the XO was built to withstand rough treatment and has expected life span of 5 years.