(Click on the above image to navigate to the OLPC website, the source of all images in this article.)
OLPC was founded by Nicholas Negroponte along with a group of Media Lab veterans. The team now includes a wide range of dedicated professionals. Nicholas Negroponte is the director of the media lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He thought of starting "One Laptop Per Child" while he was working with students, at a school that he founded, that were browsing the internet. They were using lap tops that he had bought for them inexpensively on eBay. He thought to himself that every child should have the opportunity to not only access the internet, but use it as an educational tool. His hope is that this can be possible regardless of a child's financial standing (OLPC).
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In order to accomplish this goal, his non-profit organization in Cambridge, MA created an "XO." An "XO" is "a solar, manual, or electric powered wireless internet connective, green and white piece of hardware" according to xogiving.com, one of the OLPC websites. This hardware is designed to withstand water, extreme heat, sand, and many other conditions that are typically seen in poor countries. In addition, the laptop contains local language support (Lopez). Professionals came together from all walks of life and worked for years to create this hardware, and of course the laptop. As a result, the laptop is extremely durable, functional and energy efficient. It also has a colorful appearance, which makes it very attractive for children.
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People Magazine says that the laptop is the size of a textbook and lighter than a lunch box. The screen on the laptop is 7.5 inches and has wireless capabilities (Lopez). To buy one you can go to http://www.xogiving.org/. For general information about OLPC, testimonials, progress, people involved, and much more, visit http://www.laptop.org/.
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There are many ways for people to get involved with this program. In November 2007, Negroponte started to offer consumers a "Give 1 Get 1" deal. For $399.00 anyone can buy one laptop for themselves and one for a child living in a developing country. Negroponte recently told People Magazine, "When school may not even exist or is under a tree, a connected laptop is pretty good." He has been traveling for almost two years to promote the cause. As a result of his hard work, approximately 7,500 laptops have been distributed already (Lopez).
Critics say that the money and resources used for the "One Laptop Per Child" project could be better used for food and shelter in developing countries. However, Negroponte doesn't see this effort as just a laptop project. He believes that this project is about education. There is, of course, a correlation between a wealth of knowledge and financial wealth/ abundance of food. This program has the ability to open up doors for children that wouldn't otherwise be exposed to what the internet has to offer. There are already programs in place for hunger and homelessness issues. Although, hunger and homelessness are nowhere near non-existent, it is important to have programs that address other issues as well. The OLPC effort is one of a kind and has proven successful thus far.
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Good luck to everyone involved in making this effort possible!
By Stephanie J Ingalls
Sources
Lopez, Molly. "His Big Idea: A Laptop For Every Poor Child In The World." People Magazine. 21 February 2008. 12 November 2007. P. 111.
One Laptop Per Child. Homepage. NIcholasNegroponte. 21 February 2008.http://www.laptop.org
One Laptop Per Child. Homepage. NIcholasNegroponte. 21 February 2008.http://www.xogiving.org
With John Breen’s creation you can increase your vocabulary while helping to eradicate hunger! Are you currently studying for the SATs or GREs? Are you passionate about helping others? Are you just looking for a fun game to play online? Well, if you answered yes to any or all of these questions then FreeRice.com is for you.
Breen, a computer programmer, created a PC-based, multiple-choice vocabulary quiz that helps people increase their vocabulary with just a few clicks of their mouse. He thought that his game would help his son study for the SATs, since flash cards weren’t motivating him. If you take Breen’s passion for education and computer programming and combined it with his passion for ending hunger, than the result is FreeRice.com.
When you log on to FreeRice.com you can start playing right away with over 10,000 word definition challenges. For each word you get correct 20 grains of rice are donated to the U. N. World Food Program. The program is funded by corporate advertising and it has generated 20 billion grains of rice since October of 2007, when the website was launched. Breen believes that ending hunger is possible and that it’s just a matter of getting the word out. So, join the many people who have already logged on and made a difference. What an innovative idea!
Stephanie J. Ingalls
Sources
FreeRice. Homepage. JohnBreen. 30 May 2008 http://www.freerice.com
Wells, Melody. "His Word Game Feeds Thousands." People Magazine. 30 May 2008. 17 March 2008. Vol. 69, No. 10.