Laptops, Education and the Freedom to Tinker: The example of OLE Nepal
May 15, 2008 – 8:29 pmAlong with a number of other One Laptop Per Child enthusiasts (software and hardware contributors, Give One Get One participants, wiki/forum answer-givers), I’ve been a bit dismayed by developments and revelations at OLPC. My experience as a configuration manager and occasional release manager tells me that large-scale deploys of software don’t “just happen” even if it’s completely off-the-shelf (no customization/localization required), whether the distribution is physical (tapes, CDs, DVDs, printers) or electronic. Whatever comes to OLPC, however, the project has accomplished some good, from laptop design re-thinking to the cross-fertilization between the open source community and open learning education efforts.
OLPC’s XO was supposed to be an educational and empowerment tool, with localization (facilitated by the open source approach) to make it more relevant to places where it went. OLPC (Negroponte) may have lost sight of that, but some organizations have used it as a launching pad for efforts that matter. For an example, look at OLE Nepal, which has worked very closely with Nepalese teachers to roll out customized OLPC laptops with software to help the teachers teach particular subjects.
Open Learning Exchange (OLE) Nepal
- http://wiki.laptop.org/go/OLE_Nepal (overview from an OLPC perspective)
- http://www.olenepal.org/ (separate from OLPC)
- http://blog.olenepal.org/ (seems to have latest updates)
Bryan Berry (OLE Nepal External Relations Manager) gave a presentation to the OLPC Learning Club DC back in December (and hung around for discussion afterwards) which certainly sounded like they did their homework before aiming for measurable results.
- http://www.technorati.com/videos/youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DWVG4hSsIk_k
- http://www.olpcnews.com/use_cases/education/test_scores_olpc_teach.html
- http://www.olpcnews.com/countries/nepal/ (some overlap with above blog link)
OLE Nepal’s efforts are still moving along, with some hitches here and there, but the team is flourishing and has already shown what can be done with an open attitude and serious planning.