Why is it that so many people believe that technology is somehow the cure for poor educational problems?
In the U.S. we have continued to pour more and more $$ into technological solutions in education, only to stagnate on actual educational progress.
I don't see anything written by me that was talking about America. If American kids are not utilizing the great education oportunities that they've been given and other countries would wish to have, then too bad for them. But technology isn't the problem. I don't know what the hell your talking about but technology does and have bettered america, it's the reason why you won't die at 50 it's the reason diseases are getting cured and treated, it's the reason you have straight teeth, it's the reason why babies don't always have to die, it's the reason I'm even talking to you right now. If you think everyone in the world embracing it for the greater good(the education of children) is somehow a bad thing or a stupid thing you have got to be fucking crazy.
What's hampering the education process isn't technology in the school system it's the lack of other things and cut backs to things like after school programs and the arts. Please tell me where I said that school systems need only embrace technology and nothing else to make the planet perfect.
But if you think giving kids in Africa and other third world regions a laptop and chance to learn where there usually is none and even if they had a school it'd be shitty and they'd all need to gather around 1 computer is idealistic and wrong, your fucking crazy.
Elementary school and highschool is free here, it isn't the same for them, they're oportunities aren't the same. You have no right to call me out for suggesting that third world countries get up to speed.
And while we're at it it has been proven that technology in thrid world countries does help.
But hey I guess myself and a multimillion dollar initiative are completely wrong. And so is Steve Jobs for wanting to chip in.
Hey, Apple could always donate their shuffle dead stock/returns to be used as hard drives!
But seriously, I think as long as the kids using these semi-crippled computers are able to get on the net in some way (hopefully some kind of wireless infrastructure is being supported as well), it will be a smashing success. At least then they will have access to resources like Google, Wikipedia, MIT onlne, etc.
Of course with the hassle of running Linux, a lot of these kids could grow up to be master hackers...
Hey, Apple could always donate their shuffle dead stock/returns to be used as hard drives!
But seriously, I think as long as the kids using these semi-crippled computers are able to get on the net in some way (hopefully some kind of wireless infrastructure is being supported as well), it will be a smashing success. At least then they will have access to resources like Google, Wikipedia, MIT onlne, etc.
Of course with the hassle of running Linux, a lot of these kids could grow up to be master hackers...
We shall see.
I'm not too worried about that yet. first these kids have to learn how to read, write, and do arithmetic.
A lot of people here don't understand just how difficult it is for kids to go to school outside of the more developed world. Eking mentioned that.
In many areas of the world, school isn't free. Even worse is the fact that it can cost as much as a years income for a family just to send one of their children.
$100 laptop deal is nothing more than the usual gig that professors at schools use in their grants to get money. And that is just fine as long as it stays as a research project.
What they don't tell you are the hard parts.
The hardware isn't there for $100 computer to be reliable and durable in the hands of the kids.
They quote you $100 sum, but for what time duration? Surely a 3rd grader will play soccer with it in the hallway more often than you'd think. I know we did it in school with our TI-81s way back! These calculators were sturdy and solid. Still, many people would go though a 2-3 in a year. A computer will never be that sturdy unless it is simplified to TI-81 formfactor... in which case it will become a stripped down PDA. That means that you're going to have to spend $200-$300 or more per student per year. Furthermore administrative overhead will be at least as much... I know, I work in this system.
But the biggest thing they don't tell you is about support! Who will provide technical support to such a volume of computers? You can bet that tech support will cost many times more than the computer itself. You can't cut costs here since people are expensive! Schools can't afford that since skilled IT people are expensive these days and hardware support will need specialized testing equipment which is also expensive.
The next thing is the quality. One certainly can't afford to have Sony or Fujitsu build this so you have to go to 2nd or 3rd tier OEM. You'll have quality problems up the wazoo!
Imagine if they deploy 10 million of these things and a month down the road you have a cold-solder problem on the motherboard and 5 million of them need to be replaced... OEM will eat most of the hardware repair cost, but who is going to provide the collection and distribution infrastructure? That's expensive... compared to the cost of the laptop.
By the time you're done, your $100 laptop is really costing you $1000 and you might as well have bought a DELL or a MAC at a nice discount with 3 year support infrastructure.
And these are real problems that one is faced with in US of A. Imagine a developing country where it's easier to buy an AK47 than a sack of potatoes!
America creating the next generation of criminals - where have I heard that before?
Hackers are not "criminals". Hackers are people who hack the code of a certain application, kernel, or OS. In the Linux community, people working on the Linux kernel are known as "kernel hackers".
The term hacker is meant to signify that someone is skilled in programming. The word you're looking for is 'cracker', that is, someone that is involved in illegal activities.
Hackers are not "criminals". Hackers are people who hack the code of a certain application, kernel, or OS. In the Linux community, people working on the Linux kernel are known as "kernel hackers".
The term hacker is meant to signify that someone is skilled in programming. The word you're looking for is 'cracker', that is, someone that is involved in illegal activities.
Unfortunately, while you are correct, the meaning of the word has changed in the public space over the years,
Even some "crackers" have referred to themselves as hackers.
Back when I was a kid (way back ), a hacker meant someone who had little skill at something, but who persisted until something that wasn't very good or useful resulted. It had nothing to do with computers at all.
$100 laptop deal is nothing more than the usual gig that professors at schools use in their grants to get money. And that is just fine as long as it stays as a research project.
... And these are real problems that one is faced with in US of A. Imagine a developing country where it's easier to buy an AK47 than a sack of potatoes!
Added to that, you have the kleptocratic third-world governments with brazen corruption at every level. No child would even see a laptop, with Mugabe selling them on the black market to the highest bidder.
It has changed - but that's because people are uninformed about "hacking". And the self-styled crackers-cum-hackers didn't help either.
Yes. Which is why I've stopped arguing about it. I used to correct everyone also.
At first, I was confused when the term came to be applied to those in the computer world, because it meant that they were just fumbling around. But then it changed to simply mean talented people doing it for a hobby.
Now it's changed again. I wonder what it will mean ten years from now. Unless it has settled into a final usage now that the public has gotten hold of it.
Hacker is synonymous with crime - I know it's changed from what it used to mean. In the past it was, 'a person who plays amateur sports without talent or skill.'
Anyway my comment was made in jest, although I can think of a few criminals the US have trained. However, this is not the time or place to mention them.
I don't see anything written by me that was talking about America. If American kids are not utilizing the great education oportunities that they've been given and other countries would wish to have, then too bad for them. But technology isn't the problem. I don't know what the hell your talking about but technology does and have bettered america, it's the reason why you won't die at 50 it's the reason diseases are getting cured and treated, it's the reason you have straight teeth, it's the reason why babies don't always have to die, it's the reason I'm even talking to you right now. If you think everyone in the world embracing it for the greater good(the education of children) is somehow a bad thing or a stupid thing you have got to be f'ing crazy.
Well said.
I'm in sort of a visionary mode right now. I am really seeing Open Source and initiatives like this laptop project as a vehicle for future learning. It's a world where, with only a minor outlay of resources, a kid who otherwise wouldn't have an opportunity will (if all goes well) have access to a huge amount of knowledge, networked and otherwise. Consider the possibilities. And yes, the laptops will most likely have some sort of basic software for teaching basic concepts when teacher-aided instruction is not available.
It has nothing to do with Apple, or Microsoft, or any other huge corporation. It is something greater than all of these corporations put together. This is what terrifies the large companies.
If you guys want to pick a fight, instead ask your local school boards why they are deciding to throw away the entire body of scientific evidence in favor of teaching "easy" theories like Intelligent Design which have no basis in fact whatsoever. This type of thinking will set back our country, and thus modern civilization, tremendously.
Comments
Originally posted by Chris Cuilla
Do you really believe this?
Why is it that so many people believe that technology is somehow the cure for poor educational problems?
In the U.S. we have continued to pour more and more $$ into technological solutions in education, only to stagnate on actual educational progress.
I don't see anything written by me that was talking about America. If American kids are not utilizing the great education oportunities that they've been given and other countries would wish to have, then too bad for them. But technology isn't the problem. I don't know what the hell your talking about but technology does and have bettered america, it's the reason why you won't die at 50 it's the reason diseases are getting cured and treated, it's the reason you have straight teeth, it's the reason why babies don't always have to die, it's the reason I'm even talking to you right now. If you think everyone in the world embracing it for the greater good(the education of children) is somehow a bad thing or a stupid thing you have got to be fucking crazy.
What's hampering the education process isn't technology in the school system it's the lack of other things and cut backs to things like after school programs and the arts. Please tell me where I said that school systems need only embrace technology and nothing else to make the planet perfect.
But if you think giving kids in Africa and other third world regions a laptop and chance to learn where there usually is none and even if they had a school it'd be shitty and they'd all need to gather around 1 computer is idealistic and wrong, your fucking crazy.
Elementary school and highschool is free here, it isn't the same for them, they're oportunities aren't the same. You have no right to call me out for suggesting that third world countries get up to speed.
And while we're at it it has been proven that technology in thrid world countries does help.
But hey I guess myself and a multimillion dollar initiative are completely wrong. And so is Steve Jobs for wanting to chip in.
But seriously, I think as long as the kids using these semi-crippled computers are able to get on the net in some way (hopefully some kind of wireless infrastructure is being supported as well), it will be a smashing success. At least then they will have access to resources like Google, Wikipedia, MIT onlne, etc.
Of course with the hassle of running Linux, a lot of these kids could grow up to be master hackers...
We shall see.
Originally posted by SpamSandwich
Of course with the hassle of running Linux, a lot of these kids could grow up to be master hackers...
We shall see.
America creating the next generation of criminals - where have I heard that before?
Originally posted by MacCrazy
America creating the next generation of criminals - where have I heard that before?
I give. A James Bond movie?
Originally posted by SpamSandwich
Hey, Apple could always donate their shuffle dead stock/returns to be used as hard drives!
But seriously, I think as long as the kids using these semi-crippled computers are able to get on the net in some way (hopefully some kind of wireless infrastructure is being supported as well), it will be a smashing success. At least then they will have access to resources like Google, Wikipedia, MIT onlne, etc.
Of course with the hassle of running Linux, a lot of these kids could grow up to be master hackers...
We shall see.
I'm not too worried about that yet. first these kids have to learn how to read, write, and do arithmetic.
A lot of people here don't understand just how difficult it is for kids to go to school outside of the more developed world. Eking mentioned that.
In many areas of the world, school isn't free. Even worse is the fact that it can cost as much as a years income for a family just to send one of their children.
What they don't tell you are the hard parts.
The hardware isn't there for $100 computer to be reliable and durable in the hands of the kids.
They quote you $100 sum, but for what time duration? Surely a 3rd grader will play soccer with it in the hallway more often than you'd think. I know we did it in school with our TI-81s way back! These calculators were sturdy and solid. Still, many people would go though a 2-3 in a year. A computer will never be that sturdy unless it is simplified to TI-81 formfactor... in which case it will become a stripped down PDA. That means that you're going to have to spend $200-$300 or more per student per year. Furthermore administrative overhead will be at least as much... I know, I work in this system.
But the biggest thing they don't tell you is about support! Who will provide technical support to such a volume of computers? You can bet that tech support will cost many times more than the computer itself. You can't cut costs here since people are expensive! Schools can't afford that since skilled IT people are expensive these days and hardware support will need specialized testing equipment which is also expensive.
The next thing is the quality. One certainly can't afford to have Sony or Fujitsu build this so you have to go to 2nd or 3rd tier OEM. You'll have quality problems up the wazoo!
Imagine if they deploy 10 million of these things and a month down the road you have a cold-solder problem on the motherboard and 5 million of them need to be replaced... OEM will eat most of the hardware repair cost, but who is going to provide the collection and distribution infrastructure? That's expensive... compared to the cost of the laptop.
By the time you're done, your $100 laptop is really costing you $1000 and you might as well have bought a DELL or a MAC at a nice discount with 3 year support infrastructure.
And these are real problems that one is faced with in US of A. Imagine a developing country where it's easier to buy an AK47 than a sack of potatoes!
Originally posted by MacCrazy
America creating the next generation of criminals - where have I heard that before?
Hackers are not "criminals". Hackers are people who hack the code of a certain application, kernel, or OS. In the Linux community, people working on the Linux kernel are known as "kernel hackers".
The term hacker is meant to signify that someone is skilled in programming. The word you're looking for is 'cracker', that is, someone that is involved in illegal activities.
Originally posted by Gene Clean
Hackers are not "criminals". Hackers are people who hack the code of a certain application, kernel, or OS. In the Linux community, people working on the Linux kernel are known as "kernel hackers".
The term hacker is meant to signify that someone is skilled in programming. The word you're looking for is 'cracker', that is, someone that is involved in illegal activities.
Unfortunately, while you are correct, the meaning of the word has changed in the public space over the years,
Even some "crackers" have referred to themselves as hackers.
Back when I was a kid (way back
Originally posted by skatman
$100 laptop deal is nothing more than the usual gig that professors at schools use in their grants to get money. And that is just fine as long as it stays as a research project.
... And these are real problems that one is faced with in US of A. Imagine a developing country where it's easier to buy an AK47 than a sack of potatoes!
Added to that, you have the kleptocratic third-world governments with brazen corruption at every level. No child would even see a laptop, with Mugabe selling them on the black market to the highest bidder.
Originally posted by Gene Clean
It has changed - but that's because people are uninformed about "hacking". And the self-styled crackers-cum-hackers didn't help either.
Yes. Which is why I've stopped arguing about it. I used to correct everyone also.
At first, I was confused when the term came to be applied to those in the computer world, because it meant that they were just fumbling around. But then it changed to simply mean talented people doing it for a hobby.
Now it's changed again. I wonder what it will mean ten years from now. Unless it has settled into a final usage now that the public has gotten hold of it.
Anyway my comment was made in jest, although I can think of a few criminals the US have trained. However, this is not the time or place to mention them.
Originally posted by ecking
I don't see anything written by me that was talking about America. If American kids are not utilizing the great education oportunities that they've been given and other countries would wish to have, then too bad for them. But technology isn't the problem. I don't know what the hell your talking about but technology does and have bettered america, it's the reason why you won't die at 50 it's the reason diseases are getting cured and treated, it's the reason you have straight teeth, it's the reason why babies don't always have to die, it's the reason I'm even talking to you right now. If you think everyone in the world embracing it for the greater good(the education of children) is somehow a bad thing or a stupid thing you have got to be f'ing crazy.
Well said.
I'm in sort of a visionary mode right now. I am really seeing Open Source and initiatives like this laptop project as a vehicle for future learning. It's a world where, with only a minor outlay of resources, a kid who otherwise wouldn't have an opportunity will (if all goes well) have access to a huge amount of knowledge, networked and otherwise. Consider the possibilities. And yes, the laptops will most likely have some sort of basic software for teaching basic concepts when teacher-aided instruction is not available.
It has nothing to do with Apple, or Microsoft, or any other huge corporation. It is something greater than all of these corporations put together. This is what terrifies the large companies.
If you guys want to pick a fight, instead ask your local school boards why they are deciding to throw away the entire body of scientific evidence in favor of teaching "easy" theories like Intelligent Design which have no basis in fact whatsoever. This type of thinking will set back our country, and thus modern civilization, tremendously.
Originally posted by MacCrazy
Additionally Linux is just as stable as OS X.
The OS is, yes. But the frameworks and the desktop software aren't.