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Hiz Princess
United Kingdom
464 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Sep 2008 : 23:52:36
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Does this mean that students will be given a free laptop?
Here in England (im not sure if its throughout the UK I know it is not happening in Wales) we have a system whereby children mainly in the inner cities are given a free laptop each weekend to complete pre programmed homework. Its a fantastic incentive all children in year 6 (10-11 year olds) are given one and it cuts down on a lot of paperwork. During the week the children each use 'their ' laptops to access regulated Internet sites I wonder if this is the thinking behind this.
The worldwide professed $100 laptop project is on its way to The Gambia, thanks to a potential partnership between the Department of State for Communication, Information and Information Technology, and the founder and CEO of Green WiFi, Bruce Baikie.
http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/2008/9/24/green-wifi-comes-to-the-gambia
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Momodou
Denmark
11832 Posts |
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Hiz Princess
United Kingdom
464 Posts |
Posted - 25 Sep 2008 : 15:53:35
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Thank you for the links Momodou,
Looks like he jumped the gun, but surely if the departments contact the education offices in Sengal they will have some idea of the positives and pitfalls.
I really hope it does take off.
There was concerns about teachers IT skills here, but there were 2 day workshops that trained teachers, so that should not be a problem, I have attended many inservice training days in Gambia. |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2008 : 11:03:06
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thanks Momodou, i was looking for that link.it seems there are many initiative for such simple systems. we have discussed the MIT one, the simputer in India as well.
Hiz Princess a similar Project took off last week in Portugal using Intel's Classmate PC which also cost 100 euro. the Portugese govt is paying 50%.
http://www.intel.com/intel/worldahead/classmatepc/
i think in the gambia they can start a small pilot project, say 1000 laptops in maybe 5 school and see what the outcome is after a year of so before scale up.
momodou thats a valid point, we must also look at how teachers have to be integrated in this programme.
my initial concerns about conectivitiy are taken care of by wireless these days. one of the mobile operators evens offers access anywhere!
i know Ous has been very keen on this project.
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Hiz Princess
United Kingdom
464 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2008 : 11:21:00
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Thanks for the link Njucks, these look similar to the ones used here.
The Government here, has provided these laptops free of charge so each child can have access.
Hopefully if it does take off maybe sponsorship for pupils will be the next step.
Early indicators suggest success of the projectt here. |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2008 : 23:47:02
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Folks
Once I have got a few used laptops from the company I am working and take to the school for the children. the laptops end up being used by school admin. Still beneficial but laptops are only good if there are someone who can teach students. |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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Hiz Princess
United Kingdom
464 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2008 : 18:51:01
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| This will be different as a governmental incentive I am assuming that training workshops will be provided as has been the case in other whole school training. Also there is normally a limitation (pre programmed) and access to particular sites so it will be easy to train educators on the specific programmes. |
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