One Laptop Per Child
Technology in Classrooms: One Laptop per Child-A Failed Idea? Is the use of technology benefiting the students in classrooms today or is it taking away from their education? Should students be allowed to have easy access to a computer during a lecture to find relevant information or is it a distraction that puts their attention onto something completely off subject? It has certainly been argued both ways. As technology becomes more prominent in everyday life, the global world changes at the same time. Third world, developing countries have begun to see this change, and are starting to accept it. One proposed start-up for introducing technology into the classrooms of these countries was the One Laptop per Child, a nonprofit organization that aims to provide laptops for the children of developing countries (“One Laptop per Child”). Technology has certainly changed education, Thierry Karsenti, a faculty member of a Montreal school, asserts the use of laptops and technology in school classrooms allows for academic success. He claims that by using computers concentration and motivation has increased as well as a way of successful teaching students important and valuable computer skills (in “Laptops in school classes improve scores”). Robert Maninger speaks on the behalf of students saying that they are more eager to integrate the use of computers into school because they are motivated to learn from it, they typically already know how to use one before starting school, and they are more likely to learn and understand the importance of technology which will help them with any future academic and employment opportunities. Maninger claims that students have shown great excitement and are very curious in the classrooms with the introduction of computers. He said that teachers are seeing less and less absenteeism and behavioral issues through this technological learning style (Maninger). The use of technology is becoming more, and more valuable, as we get older and
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