Comments on: We DO need other low cost alternatives to OLPC http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/01/04/we-do-need-other-low-cost-alternatives-to-olpc/ Weblog of Wesley Fryer Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:55:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: D. Rand http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/01/04/we-do-need-other-low-cost-alternatives-to-olpc/comment-page-1/#comment-46614 D. Rand Wed, 09 Jan 2008 14:52:30 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/01/04/we-do-need-other-low-cost-alternatives-to-olpc/#comment-46614 There is a very compelling non-laptop option. Virtual desktops lower the cost of PC access by sharing the excess power of multicore CPUs among multiple simultaneous users. See the NComputing case studies and press releases on the FY Republic of Macedonia, North Carolina, etc. They have been installed in developing countries as well as throughout the US and over 70 other countries. There is a very compelling non-laptop option. Virtual desktops lower the cost of PC access by sharing the excess power of multicore CPUs among multiple simultaneous users. See the NComputing case studies and press releases on the FY Republic of Macedonia, North Carolina, etc. They have been installed in developing countries as well as throughout the US and over 70 other countries.

]]> By: A. Mercer http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/01/04/we-do-need-other-low-cost-alternatives-to-olpc/comment-page-1/#comment-46594 A. Mercer Wed, 09 Jan 2008 05:16:05 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/01/04/we-do-need-other-low-cost-alternatives-to-olpc/#comment-46594 Well, that's a nice theory, but frankly, I find projects where students create things to be oodles more successful when I have a plan, not just a computer. Well, that’s a nice theory, but frankly, I find projects where students create things to be oodles more successful when I have a plan, not just a computer.

]]> By: Gary Stager, Ph.D. http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/01/04/we-do-need-other-low-cost-alternatives-to-olpc/comment-page-1/#comment-46593 Gary Stager, Ph.D. Wed, 09 Jan 2008 04:59:58 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/01/04/we-do-need-other-low-cost-alternatives-to-olpc/#comment-46593 There is no "instructional plan" by design since Papert and others involved in the vision behind OLPC do not believe that learning results from an emphasis on instruction. http://www.papert.org/articles/const_inst/const_inst1.html There is no “instructional plan” by design since Papert and others involved in the vision behind OLPC do not believe that learning results from an emphasis on instruction.

http://www.papert.org/articles/const_inst/const_inst1.html

]]> By: A. Mercer http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/01/04/we-do-need-other-low-cost-alternatives-to-olpc/comment-page-1/#comment-46592 A. Mercer Wed, 09 Jan 2008 04:51:41 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/01/04/we-do-need-other-low-cost-alternatives-to-olpc/#comment-46592 Couple of thoughts, looking at cell phones, a regulated market in EU countries (especially have a single signal standard) is thought to have led to greater innovation in cell phones there. (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17575598) The strength of OLPC is it's design (ruggedized, opensource, eschewing windows, and productivity apps, connectivity). I find little to criticize about it's design. The big problem has been its implementation which seems to have an instructional plan of: give them lap tops, and it'll all work out fine. I'm not seeing how competition would improve its strengths or correct its inherent flaws. Interesting to see these other comments. Couple of thoughts, looking at cell phones, a regulated market in EU countries (especially have a single signal standard) is thought to have led to greater innovation in cell phones there. (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17575598)

The strength of OLPC is it’s design (ruggedized, opensource, eschewing windows, and productivity apps, connectivity). I find little to criticize about it’s design. The big problem has been its implementation which seems to have an instructional plan of: give them lap tops, and it’ll all work out fine.

I’m not seeing how competition would improve its strengths or correct its inherent flaws.

Interesting to see these other comments.

]]> By: ??? > OLDaily ??? » Blog Archive » 2008?1?4? ???? IMS?? ???? Intel??OLPC ????? http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/01/04/we-do-need-other-low-cost-alternatives-to-olpc/comment-page-1/#comment-46491 ??? > OLDaily ??? » Blog Archive » 2008?1?4? ???? IMS?? ???? Intel??OLPC ????? Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:48:22 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/01/04/we-do-need-other-low-cost-alternatives-to-olpc/#comment-46491 [...] Intel????OLPC XO????????? Intel???OLPC???????????????Catherine Howell? BBC?Wesley Fryer???Chardax????????????????????????????“Intel???????????Intel?????XO???? ???????????????CES???????????????Intel??????????XO???????????????Intel?? ??OLPC?????????-???????????” ????????????OLPC????Windows???????XO????????????????????????????Charbax, One Laptop Per Child News January 4, 2008 [????] [Tags: Project Based Learning, Microsoft] [????] [...] [...] Intel????OLPC XO????????? Intel???OLPC???????????????Catherine Howell? BBC?Wesley Fryer???Chardax????????????????????????????“Intel???????????Intel?????XO???? ???????????????CES???????????????Intel??????????XO???????????????Intel?? ??OLPC?????????-???????????” ????????????OLPC????Windows???????XO????????????????????????????Charbax, One Laptop Per Child News January 4, 2008 [????] [Tags: Project Based Learning, Microsoft] [????] [...]

]]> By: Gary Stager, Ph.D. http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/01/04/we-do-need-other-low-cost-alternatives-to-olpc/comment-page-1/#comment-46357 Gary Stager, Ph.D. Fri, 04 Jan 2008 23:28:49 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/01/04/we-do-need-other-low-cost-alternatives-to-olpc/#comment-46357 Why should one believe Intel's stated reason for resignation? Others speculate that they lacked the technical skill or institutional will to make an XO with an Intel chip. Who cares what chip the device runs? It only matters if you want to use Microsoft Office and continue the Western edtech status quo of training kids to work in cubicles. Intel was shamed into joining OLPC when exposed on 60 Minutes. As soon as the bad press died down, they created a new media storm to harm a philanthropic effort dedicated to benefit kids. Why should one believe Intel’s stated reason for resignation? Others speculate that they lacked the technical skill or institutional will to make an XO with an Intel chip.

Who cares what chip the device runs? It only matters if you want to use Microsoft Office and continue the Western edtech status quo of training kids to work in cubicles.

Intel was shamed into joining OLPC when exposed on 60 Minutes. As soon as the bad press died down, they created a new media storm to harm a philanthropic effort dedicated to benefit kids.

]]> By: Karen Janowski http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/01/04/we-do-need-other-low-cost-alternatives-to-olpc/comment-page-1/#comment-46345 Karen Janowski Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:12:32 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/01/04/we-do-need-other-low-cost-alternatives-to-olpc/#comment-46345 Wes, The low cost alternatives are being targeted for "developing countries," and not our own. We need these powerful alternatives available for our own students. As you say, millions of dollars has been invested in hardware and software. Unfortunately, many of those labs, carts on wheels or computers in classrooms are aging and need to be replaced at considerable expense. Let's replace them with the low cost, wifi-enabled alternatives that support student learning at a fraction of the cost. The objections to the cost of investing in technology will decrease, school budgets will decrease and we can finally focus on what we are here for - creating life-long learners who are engaged in our classrooms. I am so with you on this one! Can we all just do what is right? The market for low cost computers is not just beyond our borders. The need is everywhere. Wes,
The low cost alternatives are being targeted for “developing countries,” and not our own. We need these powerful alternatives available for our own students. As you say, millions of dollars has been invested in hardware and software. Unfortunately, many of those labs, carts on wheels or computers in classrooms are aging and need to be replaced at considerable expense. Let’s replace them with the low cost, wifi-enabled alternatives that support student learning at a fraction of the cost. The objections to the cost of investing in technology will decrease, school budgets will decrease and we can finally focus on what we are here for – creating life-long learners who are engaged in our classrooms.
I am so with you on this one! Can we all just do what is right? The market for low cost computers is not just beyond our borders. The need is everywhere.

]]> By: Matt Montagne http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/01/04/we-do-need-other-low-cost-alternatives-to-olpc/comment-page-1/#comment-46343 Matt Montagne Fri, 04 Jan 2008 17:56:00 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/01/04/we-do-need-other-low-cost-alternatives-to-olpc/#comment-46343 I agree, Wesley...we need competition in the ultra low cost, light-weight and ruggedized laptop space. Right now there is only one device in the world that has all of the aforementioned characteristics. The Asus eee PC is certainly low cost and light weight, but doesn't have the rugged features that the XO has for operating in a wide rage of environments. Negroponte and the rest of the folks over at OLPC deserve an incredible amount of credit for spurring the development of a low cost, ruggedized device that will appeal to non-traditional computing environments all over the world. Perhaps in 5-10 years there will no longer be an XO device manufactured by OLPC. Perhaps other devices will win out in this space. To me the XO device and the mission of OLPC is one of the most important developments of the 21st century. Creating the conduit for people all over the world to connect with one another, share, and solve problems is extremely noteworthy and ultimately what its all about. I agree, Wesley…we need competition in the ultra low cost, light-weight and ruggedized laptop space. Right now there is only one device in the world that has all of the aforementioned characteristics. The Asus eee PC is certainly low cost and light weight, but doesn’t have the rugged features that the XO has for operating in a wide rage of environments.

Negroponte and the rest of the folks over at OLPC deserve an incredible amount of credit for spurring the development of a low cost, ruggedized device that will appeal to non-traditional computing environments all over the world. Perhaps in 5-10 years there will no longer be an XO device manufactured by OLPC. Perhaps other devices will win out in this space. To me the XO device and the mission of OLPC is one of the most important developments of the 21st century. Creating the conduit for people all over the world to connect with one another, share, and solve problems is extremely noteworthy and ultimately what its all about.

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