Low cost devices for 1-to-1 initiatives
There are now two low-cost computing devices that have been created to support students in areas of the world where technology is needed. I am hoping someone decides, at some point, that devices like these two, which do more than handheld computers but less than full laptops, and are affordable for districts like mine, would be appropriate for 1-to-1 initiatives in US schools, too.
I have always said if each student had a device, like a handheld, they could do 80% of what they need to do on the device. We could then "bling out" the desktops to allow them to do any final production and creative work. By "bling out" I mean provide them with access to camcorders, digital cameras, scanners, audio and video-editing software, midi keyboards, and high-level software that requires a full computer. With devices like Intel's Classmate PC and OLPC's XO, I feel the 24x7 access to a device that is rugged and can perform the simple tasks without a huge learning curve, would be very beneficial for our students.
Your thoughts?
Intel's Classmate PC
ClassmatePC pictures
One Laptop Per Child XO
OLPC Hardware Specs
I have always said if each student had a device, like a handheld, they could do 80% of what they need to do on the device. We could then "bling out" the desktops to allow them to do any final production and creative work. By "bling out" I mean provide them with access to camcorders, digital cameras, scanners, audio and video-editing software, midi keyboards, and high-level software that requires a full computer. With devices like Intel's Classmate PC and OLPC's XO, I feel the 24x7 access to a device that is rugged and can perform the simple tasks without a huge learning curve, would be very beneficial for our students.
Your thoughts?
Intel's Classmate PC
ClassmatePC pictures
One Laptop Per Child XO
OLPC Hardware Specs
Technorati tags: Kathy Schrock
posted by Kathy Schrock at 4:48 AM
2 Comments:
Hi Kathy,
I am thinking along the same lines. Wrote up my "Disappointment" earlier:
http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/2006/8/19/disappointed-again-this-year.html
A couple blog readers suggested possible devices that might meet my criteria (basically cheap and long battery life):
The Nova 5000
The Nokia 770
Haven't had the opportunity to play with either.
Doug
Had the Nokia for a couple of days and sent it back. It is a weird OS and did not work well for me.
The Nova runs Windows CE Net 5.0, another OS I have run on lots of devices (various versions) over the years.
Neither is a really full-featured OS, IMHO.
Kathy
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