I know Senator Halvorson(Senate Majority Leader), and am going to contact her about the bill. Hopefully she can help it through the senate.<br><br>Karen,<br>I love the idea, the more we prove that the XO is child friendly the better.<br>
<br>Larry,<br>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].<br>Also, great question list. Here are some answers.<br><br>
What evidence is there that providing every child with a laptop is
beneficial?<br>
* The world is becoming more tech attached, children need to start learning the tools from a young age.<br> * This would be a great use of personal stories.<br><br>What benefit do the children derive from owning/having one?<br>
* We all know the power of "mine" something that is yours you take care of better, and learn to use better.<br> * This would also be a great way to use personal stories.<br><br>
What support (deployment, ongoing, repair) exists for the XO?<br>
* Grass root support groups have formed. <br> * IMSA is working on a service model for repair.<br> * IMSA is also working on an after school program using the XO technology.<br><br>
Why would we want a Linux-based machine instead of a Windows-based one?<br> * The system can be set up specifically for children<br>
* Transparent system<br> * Large support base<br> * Easier/More configurability<br> * Better security<br> * More efficient for low cost hardware<br><br>
How will purchasing laptops help increase student test scores?<br>
* Right now there are no tests that relate directly to technology knowledge, so they may not change.<br> * Learning in the form of games is easier(more fun) so students probably will learn the material much better.<br>
<br>I can't answer the other questions.<br><br>Jason<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Fri, Mar 21, 2008 at 5:14 PM, Langellier, Larry <<a href="mailto:Langellier@morainevalley.edu">Langellier@morainevalley.edu</a>> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">Hi Karen,<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
It will be interesting to see the materials you have started to pull together. I agree, the <a href="http://laptop.org" target="_blank">laptop.org</a> wiki would be a nice place to start to collect all kinds of promotional materials.<br>
<br>
To continue the discussion, here are some issues/questions I expect to arise in Springfield during debate:<br>
<br>
*<br>
What evidence is there that providing every child with a laptop is beneficial? What benefit do the children derive from owning/having one?<br>
*<br>
Won't the laptops get broken a lot?<br>
*<br>
What support (deployment, ongoing, repair) exists for the XO?<br>
*<br>
Why would we want a Linux-based machine instead of a Windows-based one?<br>
*<br>
How are the teachers going to learn how to use this new tool?<br>
*<br>
What infrastructure is required to support every child having a laptop?<br>
*<br>
In addition to the price of the laptop, what are the other costs?<br>
*<br>
How will purchasing laptops help increase student test scores?<br>
*<br>
and many more questions I'm sure...<br>
<br>
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...<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
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?<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Have a great weekend everyone!<br>
<br>
Larry<br></blockquote></div><br>