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Afghan Computer Literacy
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Last week I posted about the One Laptop Per Child Project, and it reminded me that I had received a GlobalGiving gift certificate months ago that I hadn't redeemed. I decided to put my money - or at least my gift certificate - where my mouth was and donate towards this project:
I can't help but feel small when I think of how little a dent my meager offering put into the $9,825 listed need for this project. Then again, it is closer than it was. Education at every level is a key indicator of what the future will hold. If you want to live in a global community that works together instead of one that wastes all of its time and resources on new and more complex ways of destroying one another then the best place to start is by educating the young and creating an environment that is hospitable to the opportunities a peaceful and prosperous world requires.
Technology has a role to play in education. I don't believe that the OLPC effort is a panacea, but I am not inclined to see it as a bedeviling evil foisted upon the poor by greedy capitalists either. I am more inclined to believe that it is a huge step in the right direction that will inevitably hit some bumps along the way. Maybe I'm just overly optimistic, but I think it will be very enabing for those kids who end up with these shiny green machines.
Which brings up their environmental impact. I was asked about this when a friend read my post from last week. Looks like they're doing more to be green than your regular old standard landfill loving laptops.
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Improving Computer Literacy in Afghanistan Afghans continue to struggle for survival within their devastated economy. They lack the skills employers need. Help 200 Afghan students learn computer skills, fill the technical void and get jobs. Theme: Technology | Location: Afghanistan | Need: $9,825 |
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I can't help but feel small when I think of how little a dent my meager offering put into the $9,825 listed need for this project. Then again, it is closer than it was. Education at every level is a key indicator of what the future will hold. If you want to live in a global community that works together instead of one that wastes all of its time and resources on new and more complex ways of destroying one another then the best place to start is by educating the young and creating an environment that is hospitable to the opportunities a peaceful and prosperous world requires.
Technology has a role to play in education. I don't believe that the OLPC effort is a panacea, but I am not inclined to see it as a bedeviling evil foisted upon the poor by greedy capitalists either. I am more inclined to believe that it is a huge step in the right direction that will inevitably hit some bumps along the way. Maybe I'm just overly optimistic, but I think it will be very enabing for those kids who end up with these shiny green machines.
Which brings up their environmental impact. I was asked about this when a friend read my post from last week. Looks like they're doing more to be green than your regular old standard landfill loving laptops.
