Technology & Learning - October 2007 - (Page 5)

News & Trends » Tots on Their Own Online When it comes to talking to kids about online safety and savvy, parents may be overlooking the precocious behavior of their 6- to 10-year-olds. A recent study, “Parenting Moves Online: Parents’ Internet Actions and Attitudes, 2007” released by Cable in the Classroom and Common Sense Media, shows that kids ages 11-14 are more likely to get safety and ethics guidance from their parents than either of their younger or older counterparts. In the area of personal information sharing, only 65 percent of parents say they’ve talked to their 6- to 10-year-olds, while 90 percent have spoken with their 11- to 14-year-olds. A similar pattern holds true in the areas of determining information credibility, avoiding contact with dangerous people, and downloading and sharing files. Perhaps technology literacy training in the primary grades needs a new focus. The survey, which polled more than 2,000 adults, is available online at www.ciconline.org/home. » Quote of the Month » “Higher education is a key to achieving the American dream, and more than ever, the American dream is going to depend upon innovation.” —Speaker Nancy Pelosi, on increasing Hispanic student participation in science, technology, and engineering at the Hispanic Engineering, Science & Technology Week Conference at the University of Texas-Pan American held in September. Negroponte Opens the Door to Affordable Computing In 2006, the whole world watched as high-profile MIT Media Laboratory director, businessman, and author Nicholas Negroponte unveiled ambitious plans for his One Laptop Per Child nonprofit association to ship $100 computers to developing countries. Named XO, the scaled down devices were intended to help bridge the digital divide in Senegal, Costa Rica, Nigeria, Thailand, and other developing nations. A new twist to this tale is OLPC’s recent announcement of a Give One Get One program for U.S. and Canadian residents. For two weeks, starting Nov. 12, 2007, interested buyers can spend $399 for two XO devices—one to be delivered to them by Christmas, and the other sent to a high-need nation. The North American program is, in part, to drum up sales of lagging overseas orders. This surprised some as just this spring Negroponte’s foundation confirmed 3 million orders and hired China-based Quanta to begin manufacturing the ingenious, compact devices. But promised orders from Brazil, Nigeria, and others, went sour. Perhaps it was the hidden costs, including a government commitment to pay for distributing the XOs, and the agreement they provide unrestricted Internet access that made some balk and garnered Negroponte criticism. Of course, criticism is no stranger to the entrepreneur. Microsoft, Intel, and others had plenty to say in response to Negroponte’s claims that “featuritis” and “bloated software” were keeping prices up on the computers they manufacture. “When people like that don’t like it, you must be doing something right,” he remarked. Prophetic words, it turns out. Intel has now entered the field with its own affordable laptop, the Classmate PC, expected to retail at $250 with Windows XP installed. And then there’s ASUS, which is offering eee, a $260-$400 Linux OS laptop series. Wal-Mart, too, recently began offering the California-based Everex laptop, starting at $418. Don’t be surprised to see other computer vendors following suit. This slew of new, affordable laptops is good news. And this could prove Negroponte’s, and OLPC’s, greatest accomplishment. In any case, we applaud him for his vision, idealism, and energy. There is little doubt that his OLPC initiative has opened the doors to cost-effective computing for schools. Technology & Learning October 2007 | 5 http://www.ciconline.org/home

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Technology & Learning - October 2007

Technology & Learning - October 2007 Editor’s Desk News & Trends Product Guide Reviews How Fast Is Fast Enough? Cover Story: Career Education in the Digital Age Getting It Wrong Higher Ed Point of View How To Bottom Line What’s New Emerging Tech

Technology & Learning - October 2007

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