Experiences with OLPC Technology in Ghana, West Africa Suzanne Buchele, Ph.D. Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX (Ashesi University College) Friday, October 3, 2008, 10:00am

OLPC in Ghana The One Laptop Per Child Project My background and interest Why is OLPC a Good Idea? Pros Why isn’t OLPC the Best Idea? Cons Educational Realities in Ghana Experiences with OLPC in Ghana Observations Questions and Discussion

The One Laptop Per Child Project Non-profit organization, out of MIT Media Lab Launched in 2005 (unofficially started previously) Corporate sponsors provided an initial budget of $20 million Low-cost, low-power, rugged laptop for the developing world Sold to governments of developing countries, for distribution in-country by governments

OLPC Mission To create educational opportunities for the world's poorest children by providing each child with a rugged, low-cost, low-power, connected laptop with content and software designed for collaborative, joyful, self-empowered learning. (Constructionist Learning)

My Background and Interest Fulbright to Ashesi University College in Ghana Spring of 2007, research group with undergraduates Wrote paper on OLPC and its applicability to Ghana Fulbright renewed for Worked with Ghana and OLPC for year

Why is OLPC a Good idea? Pros The Digital Divide Least Developed Countries – Economic Realities Educational Problems in LDCs –Access to education –Quality of education –Access to quality education –Girls’ education

Best use of money? –Why not improve educational quality and access? –Why not improve infrastructure (or other initiatives) so that overall economies improve? Fundamental issues of technological know-how for implementation and on-going support Why is OLPC not the best idea? Cons

Educational Realities in Ghana Rote Learning Not enough teachers Not enough schools, textbooks, and other resources Schools are free (up to 8 th grade), but… –Uniforms and school supply fees –Short-term opportunity loss to families

OLPC in Ghana - Timeline September 2007 OLPC Reps first contact October 2007 In-country workshop

OLPC in Ghana - Timeline Nov Ghana reps invited to Cambridge for OLPC training Dec 07 – Jan 08 Ghana OLPC Implementation Team Meetings

OLPC in Ghana - Timeline February 2008 Teacher Training

OLPC in Ghana - Timeline Feb 2008 First Pilot in Accra

Accra Pilot

OLPC Ghana - Timeline March 2008 One Laptop Foundation – Ghana established July 2008 Berekuso (rural) pilot

Observations Difficult circumstances Education is a Human Rights Issue Opportunity to fast-forward educational advancement Allow access to significant educational resources and opportunities Fundamental problem of disseminating technology country-wide

Questions and Discussion

Resources wiki.laptop.orgwww.laptop.orgwiki.laptop.org Paper: The One Laptop Per Child Project and Its Applicability to Ghana ICAST_OLPC_paper.pdf ICAST_OLPC_paper.pdf (with other references in bibliography)

THANK YOU!