[Olpc-philippines] New member introduction

[Greg Moreno]

Hi guys,

I'm Greg Moreno, a freelance web developer based in the Philippines. I
am focusing on applying technology to education both for business and
"para sa bayan" initiatives. My first project is a free website tool
for local schools (www.schoolpad.ph) and I'm starting a new project to
address textbook quality and shortage problems using open-source model
approach (i.e. similar model as Wikipedia). By the way, thanks Charles
for dropping by at my blog.

I would like to help get the schools adopt this project. My link to
various schools all over the country (through SchoolPad) can be of
help. A friend also pitch the idea of loading the laptops with
materials from our textbook project.

Negroponte said this is not a technology project, but an education
project. I believe it can also help if we look at it from a business
perspective. Here goes (hope no one gets mad at me, hehe)

What problem are we solving?  Are we solving the lack of computer
education at grade-school level? If yes, is lack of computer education
really a problem? If no, then what is? What is the pain in our current
education system that these laptops will solve?

Once we have the problem, why is this the best solution? Are there
alternative solutions?  Every solution has a cost-benefit ratio, and
if the problem we have identified can be solved by a cheaper solution,
then why go for the laptops? The cost of these laptops include not
only the cost of importing them, but also training for teachers and
maintenance.

I ask because I think we should be clear in our message especially if
we want to tap businessmen. The geek inside me wants to see every one
with these laptops. Heck, I even want one for myself. But every time I
see these poor school kids   I wonder if we are solving the right
problem. I don't know the answer and I invite every one to explore.

This is important because people will ask us why should they spend
money on this project instead of this, this, and that. Unfortunately,
we are also competing with other social projects and some have very
very good marketing and PR like Bantay Bata Foundation. Former Sen.
Drilon's classroom project is supported by many business organizations
already.

There are a lot of companies and rich people out there that would be
willing to help but we should also remember that they are also looking
for Return on Investment even if it is for a social service project.
If I give you 1M pesos, is this aligned with what I want? Smart is
pouring money on giving Internet access to public schools because it
is aligned with SmartBro product, and so is the Ayala Foundation
(owner Globe) with Txt2Teach. I guess we can no longer get the support
of Asus and Intel (hehe).  Personal contributions may not be aligned
with corporate interests but still it should have a bang for every
peso.

Let's think about this. What problem are we solving? And why OLPC is
the best solution to this problem? It may not be a big present
problem. It could be a small problem today, but will become very big
and unsolvable if we don't act now.

Regards,

Greg

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Recent post:  How to solve our textbook problems and give every
Filipino a better education
http://www.microisv.com.ph/blog/how-to-solve-our-textbook-problems.html
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