People in developing countries don't yet want or need predominantly constructionist learning style (although I highly respect the method and agree to its importance in the long run). They need to make sure their youths have strong basic in math, science, and languages (English and their national language(s)) first.
In the words of Global Competitiveness Report, most of the world are still in the factor-driven or efficiency-driven stage of development. Current OLPC software emphasizes learning style best suited to countries/communities in the innovation-driven stage.
From my first-hand experience living and working in the education field in such a country, if OLPC incorporates highly effective learning software & contents on these essential subjects into its machines, it would make a much easier sale to governments and people of these countries.
Short answer: Make something people want. (Y Combinator's motto)
The greatest weakness in OLPC's implementation is perhaps its learning software, which mostly emphasizes constructionist style of learning. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructionist_learning)
People in developing countries don't yet want or need predominantly constructionist learning style (although I highly respect the method and agree to its importance in the long run). They need to make sure their youths have strong basic in math, science, and languages (English and their national language(s)) first.
In the words of Global Competitiveness Report, most of the world are still in the factor-driven or efficiency-driven stage of development. Current OLPC software emphasizes learning style best suited to countries/communities in the innovation-driven stage.
From my first-hand experience living and working in the education field in such a country, if OLPC incorporates highly effective learning software & contents on these essential subjects into its machines, it would make a much easier sale to governments and people of these countries.