OLPC and the XO Project

Nicholas Negroponte and others from M.I.T. media lab have created quite a stir over the last few years in their quest for a $100 laptop designed for children in developing countries. While the price has come in at nearly double that amount, the machine itself is a technological marvel, - jam packed with novel features the XO laptop represents a fine achievement in design and manufacturing . Running off virtually no energy and offering a host of learning programs for children it is a perfect tool for developing a project-based learning approach. With built in camera and video functions it is ideal for doing field based research projects and when connected to the internet provides amazing scope for interactive learning for under resourced children. Blood Foundation is working with local education authorities in northern Thailand to implement a pilot project using 25 XO computers. Located three KM from the Burmese border and made up of hill tribe students, Burmese refugees and Thai students, this school represents one of the first in Thailand to start using the XOs. Blood Foundation is involved in working with the teachers to develop project-based curriculum for the students as well as providing mentoring and facilitation.

The original deployment of 25 laptops was in June 2008. In January 2009 we received another 14 laptops bringing the total number to 39. We have been using foreign volunteer teachers to facilitate the children’s learning activity and to help bring the potential out of this innovative technology.