Comments on: The XO as an educational tool – a comment on an OLPC post http://www.crucialthought.com/2008/01/03/the-xo-as-an-educational-tool-a-comment-on-an-olpc-post/ Sun, 30 Oct 2011 16:31:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Susan Sedro http://www.crucialthought.com/2008/01/03/the-xo-as-an-educational-tool-a-comment-on-an-olpc-post/comment-page-1/#comment-34093 Susan Sedro Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:26:30 +0000 http://www.crucialthought.com/2008/01/03/the-xo-as-an-educational-tool-a-comment-on-an-olpc-post/#comment-34093 Chris, I share your concerns. I was hoping that my lack of familiarity with Linnux was the main reason, but based on your experience, I guess that probably isn't it. On the other hand, familiarity with any computer OS can help them prepare for a type of thinking and working common in more developed countries. That may be of use. Likewise, I'd hate to underestimate the potential here, especially if Scratch and other similar apps become available. I've seen elementary aged kids spend hours exploring, experimenting, creating with tools like Lego Mindstorms. Even the simple HTML coding I teach my students consumes some of them. And since the computer goes home with them, if we can get hand cranks, yo-yo or other power supplies to them so they can work at home, good things may start to happen. When one child comes to school having successfully hacked his/her computer, others will follow suit, or at least start to think that way. Yeah, I'm being idealistic again. It feels good to smile about education again. Chris,
I share your concerns. I was hoping that my lack of familiarity with Linnux was the main reason, but based on your experience, I guess that probably isn’t it. On the other hand, familiarity with any computer OS can help them prepare for a type of thinking and working common in more developed countries. That may be of use. Likewise, I’d hate to underestimate the potential here, especially if Scratch and other similar apps become available. I’ve seen elementary aged kids spend hours exploring, experimenting, creating with tools like Lego Mindstorms. Even the simple HTML coding I teach my students consumes some of them. And since the computer goes home with them, if we can get hand cranks, yo-yo or other power supplies to them so they can work at home, good things may start to happen. When one child comes to school having successfully hacked his/her computer, others will follow suit, or at least start to think that way.

Yeah, I’m being idealistic again. It feels good to smile about education again.

]]>