Re:How a $20 tablet from India could blindside PC makers, ed...
by GFischer on Monday November 12, 2012 @06:34AM
(#4772415)
My country (Uruguay) deployed the OLPC, but the problem is that teachers are not prepared to take advantage of it. I worry that India will make the same mistake.
I interviewed some teachers, and they praised the fact that most children were inquisitive and taught themselves how to use the main programs quickly. But they also cricicized that they disrupted classes too much, and the lack of support from the education ministry.
Teachers are much more resistant than kids to use them.
Another problem is that the XO laptops break A LOT, and when they're functional, kids forget to charge them before class, no idea how a tablet will fare.
I also believe that the tablet form factor is much better suited for class use. I dislike the fact that the screen in a laptop breaks visual contact (tablets are much better at that), and laptops are not the ideal form factor for books (I'd rather have e-ink, but a tablet would be multipurpose).
I interviewed some teachers, and they praised the fact that most children were inquisitive and taught themselves how to use the main programs quickly. But they also cricicized that they disrupted classes too much, and the lack of support from the education ministry.
Teachers are much more resistant than kids to use them.
Another problem is that the XO laptops break A LOT, and when they're functional, kids forget to charge them before class, no idea how a tablet will fare.
I also believe that the tablet form factor is much better suited for class use. I dislike the fact that the screen in a laptop breaks visual contact (tablets are much better at that), and laptops are not the ideal form factor for books (I'd rather have e-ink, but a tablet would be multipurpose).