Sub-$10 “audio computer” trials underway in Ghana
Feb 16, 2009 Education/Literacy, Healthcare, Social Initiatives
Talking Book
Non-profit organization Literacy Bridge have announced a pilot program of their so-called Talking Book Devices, which the company describes as a “sub-$10 audio computer”. The compact devices can be programmed with various spoken-word lessons, aimed to assist in educating people without access to formal education or electricity.
Interestingly, content can also be shared between two devices without a PC or a network, and even recorded directly to the device, which Literacy Bridge hopes will allow for information to be easily distributed, and make it useful even outside the classroom. This will make it a more useful device than the $30 “laptop” from India.
The pilot study will sharing of content on various disease prevention techniques and farming best practices. These devices can be in future be paired with textbooks, so that learners can engage in comprehension and pronunciation activities, play back lessons at various speeds, engage in multiple-choice style question-and-answer sessions, and access other interactive activities. Read the rest of this entry »
John Lennon lends his voice to the OLPC
Dec 29, 2008 Education/Literacy, Social Initiatives
One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project has been aggressively pushing its product for Christmas shopping this year, but now they have bagged a big one! With the assistance of technology and the consent of Yoko Ono (not in that order maybe), John Lennon of the The Beatles has returned in a new OLPC spot. In the ad, the late musician proclaims: “Imagine every child no matter where in the world they were could access a universe of knowledge. They would have a chance to learn, to dream, to achieve anything they want.”
Yoko Ono has been pretty selective about granting rights to using any Lennon imagery till now. It is great that she got convinced about the good cause that is the OLPC project. The legendary Beatle’s fame will undoubtedly generate buzz and many more people will perhaps visit the site, but it remains to be seen how many actually go and buy the Gift 1 Get 1 scheme of the OLPC in these bad times.
If this still does not inspire you to get your donation on, watcg another advertisement that may finally manage to pull at your heartstrings hard enough.
Tags: John Lennon, OLPC
Green kid books from Simon & Schuster - Catching them young!
Nov 20, 2008 Education/Literacy, Natural Resource Conservation
Simon and Schuster
Now publishers are diving into publishing green books for kids, hoping to win over the kids’ eco-conscious parents. This autumn, Simon and Schuster introduced the Little Green Books — billed by the publisher as “the first eco-friendly line of children’s novelty and storybooks.” Little Green debuted with four titles — including two cloth books — centered around themes like the environment, endangered species and recycling. Currently there are nine titles in the lineup.
“The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle,” by Alison Inches, is “told from the point of view of a free-spirited plastic bottle,” according to the publisher’s Web site. Readers can “share in the daily experiences and inner thoughts of the bottle,” as he wends his way through his product life cycle: “From the refinery plant, to the manufacturing line, to the store shelf, to a garbage can, and finally to a recycling plant where it emerges into its new life … as a fleece jacket!”
Little Simon has also pledged that its production and promotional efforts will be environmentally friendly. In addition to printing on recycled materials and using soy-based inks, the company’s Web site houses green tips and downloadable activities. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Green, Green Books, Simon and Schuster
OLPC - Give one laptop to a needy child, get one laptop
Sep 30, 2008 Education/Literacy, Philanthropy and Corporate Initiatives, Social Initiatives
OLPC
The Massachusetts based One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) foundation which aims to increase laptop penetration amongst the children of the the developing world has announced its “Give One, Get One” program this year, and has confirmed a November 17 date. from Amazon No word on the price yet, but $399 is quite likely. That is not anywhere near the original $100 per laptop target, but if you want to contribute for this good cause, do check out the OLPC website. Read the rest of this entry »
Now you can get a laptop ( or a netbook, if you prefer to call it that!) for Christmas and feel good about it too!
Tags: $100 Laptop, Education, OLPC, XO