Laptops influencing researching and writing

A recent article in the Argus Leader (from South Dakota) talks about the impact of a recent 1:1 laptop initiative in Pierre.

Here are two highlights:

"We're seeing an increased amount of research by students on the Internet," said Wade Pogany, who directs curriculum and technology programs...

and

"What we know is, there's more writing going on," he said. "Is it going on everywhere? No, and that's an issue we have to address."

Click here to read the article.

I'm in Love - or why the XOs?

Today, I had a chance to spend some time playing with the XO Laptop (aka, the One Laptop Per Child Laptop).

There have been many (and more detailed) reviews/praises/criticisms published, (like the one below from David Pogue) so I'll not try to compete with them.




What struck me most was the revolution of the interface. [You can read their interface guidelines here. And check out an online demo here.] The focus (unlike most PCs) is around play and collaboration, as opposed to "productivity." In my experience, the icons draw you in and the machine really, really delivers: it has WiFi, word processing, web browsing, programming (in 3 different applications), painting, video recording, audio recording/editing, and, most importantly, networking.

Here's what really hit me. I have been in lots of discussions (both face to face and online) about the role of/use of technology in K-12 situations. And, like many of us, I have strong opinions about this. But this little laptop showed me that it is possible for the whole metaphor to change. And when it does (which I am convinced in does in little XO), who knows what can be possible?

Thanks, Mr. Negroponte.

Welcome to the Croton OLPC Laptop Project

Hello.

Thanks to the folks at the Croton Harmon Education Foundation (CHEF) and the Middle School PTA (as well as lots of support from many administrators, teachers, parents, and friends in the district), the Croton Harmon Middle school is beginning a pilot project using the XO Laptops -- the One Laptop Per Child Laptops.

This blog will be a place for us to keep track of our progress and give us a chance to reflect on what's happening.