[OLPC-Chicago] Children's Low Cost Laptop Bill

[Jason Rock]

I know Senator Halvorson(Senate Majority Leader), and am going to contact
her about the bill.  Hopefully she can help it through the senate.

Karen,
I love the idea, the more we prove that the XO is child friendly the better.

Larry,
Is there already a page for stories? If not I've added space for one on
[OLPC Chicago/IL Children's Low Cost Laptop Fund].
Also, great question list.  Here are some answers.

What evidence is there that providing every child with a laptop is
beneficial?
 *   The world is becoming more tech attached, children need to start
learning the tools from a young age.
 *   This would be a great use of personal stories.

What benefit do the children derive from owning/having one?
 *   We all know the power of "mine" something that is yours you take care
of better, and learn to use better.
 *   This would also be a great way to use personal stories.

What support (deployment, ongoing, repair) exists for the XO?
 *   Grass root support groups have formed.
 *   IMSA is working on a service model for repair.
 *   IMSA is also working on an after school program using the XO
technology.

Why would we want a Linux-based machine instead of a Windows-based one?
 *   The system can be set up specifically for children
 *   Transparent system
 *   Large support base
 *   Easier/More configurability
 *   Better security
 *   More efficient for low cost hardware

How will purchasing laptops help increase student test scores?
 *   Right now there are no tests that relate directly to technology
knowledge, so they may not change.
 *   Learning in the form of games is easier(more fun) so students probably
will learn the material much better.

I can't answer the other questions.

Jason

On Fri, Mar 21, 2008 at 5:14 PM, Langellier, Larry <
Langellier at morainevalley.edu> wrote:

> Hi Karen,
>
> What an excellent idea! We should start compiling all the stories about
> how we have personally seen children interact with the XO - and ways that
> interaction is different (and more powerful) than what we have seen in the
> same children interacting with other educational technologies.
>
> It will be interesting to see the materials you have started to pull
> together. I agree, the laptop.org wiki would be a nice place to start to
> collect all kinds of promotional materials.
>
> To continue the discussion, here are some issues/questions I expect to
> arise in Springfield during debate:
>
>  *
> What evidence is there that providing every child with a laptop is
> beneficial? What benefit do the children derive from owning/having one?
>  *
> Won't the laptops get broken a lot?
>  *
> What support (deployment, ongoing, repair) exists for the XO?
>  *
> Why would we want a Linux-based machine instead of a Windows-based one?
>  *
> How are the teachers going to learn how to use this new tool?
>  *
> What infrastructure is required to support every child having a laptop?
>  *
> In addition to the price of the laptop, what are the other costs?
>  *
> How will purchasing laptops help increase student test scores?
>  *
> and many more questions I'm sure...
>
> We can't forget that this is a $100 MILLION decision. We would never
> expect lawmakers to take that lightly, and they won't. While it may be
> obvious to us that this is a dramatically beneficial educational revolution,
> we must remember that there are other interests competing for educational
> dollars. Those interests will be involved in making their cause look more
> worthy than OLPC...
>
>
>
> Kevin, do you think your uncle would be willing to share the types of
> questions/issues that he expects will come up in debate on the House floor?
> Such a list would help us compile good answers and provide those answers to
> the people in Springfield who are leading this effort.
>
>
>
> Let's put on our collective thinking caps. If you were asked to decide
> whether to spend $100 million dollars on low cost laptops for children, and
> if you weren't as knowledgeable of OLPC as you are, what questions would you
> want answered?
>
>
>
> Have a great weekend everyone!
>
> Larry
>
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