ALABAMA, USA–The city of Birmingham makes plans to supply every 1st through 8th grade student in the school district with a laptop computer. Mayor-elect Larry Langford has reached a tentative agreement with the foundation that provides inexpensive, indestructible computers in developing countries. One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) received their first order for 100,000 computers last week when the government of Uruguay put in a request.
The machine, called the XO laptop, is waterproof and has its own Wi-Fi system. XO has no moving parts and can be easily maintained. It comes with a sunlight readable display that allows children to use it outside and in areas with little electricity. It’s also ultra low power and can be charged with solar panels.
Nicholas Negroponte, the founding director of the MIT Media Laboratory, set up and heads OLPC. He developed the laptops specifically for use abroad in undeveloped nations to try to bring young users up to date with technology. MIT may make an exception for Birmingham, Alabama.
Langford hopes to implement the OLPC program for elementary
schools by the 2008-2009 school year.
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