Seymour Papert Interview - One Laptop per Child (OLPC)

Interview with Seymour Papert - Speaking on behalf of the One Laptop per Child Foundation (OLPC).

A mathematician by training, Seymour Papert was one of the early pioneers of artificial intelligence. He is also internationally recognized as a primary thinker regarding computers and pedagogy for children.

One Laptop Per Child will be offering a Give One Get One Program in North America through December 31, 2007. For $399, you will be purchasing two XO laptops—one that will be sent to empower a child to learn in a developing nation, and one that will be sent to your child at home.

For more information, please call 1-877-70-LAPTOP or visit http://www.laptopgiving.org/

Category:

Education

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• Seymour
• Papert
• interview
• OLPC
• one
• laptop
• per
• child
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• get
• promotion
• xo
• giving
• education
• psa
• non
• profit

[OLPCFoundation]

It is great to see Seymour speaking in these interviews. It is wonderful that they were made back in the start of the project.

[shehani0nline]

Can you pls send me a used Cd rom? we got PIII computer at our school but we dont have a Cd rom.

Or send me $0.01 to my paypal account...

shehani0nline@yahoo.com

[NathalieYeiii]

CAN SOMEONE WRITE DOWN HIS WORDS IN THIS VIDEO BECAUSE I CAN'T REALLY UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING?IT IS IMPORTANT

[JuniorX]

great human being!

[iamreallyfree]

@Mentocthemindtaker no...i advocate that we first agree on a common notion for "HELP", because sometimes what helping countries think is HELP turns out producing more problems than those they intended to solve.

[iamreallyfree]

@Mentocthemindtaker You got my point wrong. When I said "people in rich countries" I wasn´t necessaritly meaning you. I don´t see the contradiction...Im not sure what you mean by "advanced" computers because regular laptops are not "advanced" and they can be pretty user friendly. I advocate "smart", rational and honest help not cheap populism promising people with poor education that OLPC laptops will radically change education when research over the years has shown that it´s not about computers

[Mentocthemindtaker]

@iamreallyfree "you people"?! Firstly, you don't know where I live. Or anything about me. Perhaps it is not the 'rich countries' alone that have a superior attitude.

Secondly, you contradict yourself...you say 'basically underdeveloped computers for underdeveloped countries' then say 'you cant start running before you learn to walk'.

Which is it? Advanced computers for those who can't use them or computers with a simple UI so they're userfriendly?

Do you advocate no help at all?

[Mentocthemindtaker]

@iamreallyfree "I think its high time..."

I agree.

"That sort of ethnocentric thinking..."

I agree.

"...projects like this...perpetuate poverty..."

Now, here, I completely disagree and stand by my previous point. There are projects going on to help poorer countries with health care, urban renewal, agriculture, policy management and...education. The OLPC project fits under the education banner. Are you advocating that countries stop helping each other?

[iamreallyfree]

@Mentocthemindtaker I think its high time that people in rich countries stop having big debates on how to solve the problems of the poor without having even a clue of what is going on there and just imagining that what has worked for them is going to be great or even better elsewhere. That sort of ethnocentric thinking has done enough damage in the developing world and its exactly the reason why development projects like this are only good to perpetuate poverty wherever they are implemented.

[iamreallyfree]

@Mentocthemindtaker I disagree. Everything has its process...you cant start running before you learn to walk. I live in a very poor country, and believe me, computers are the least children need right now to ensure better opportunities for a future here. The problem with your mindset and those of people living in rich countries is that you people have good intentions and honestly think that you have all the recipies to help poor countries develop faster...but this is not how it works.

[Mentocthemindtaker]

@iamreallyfree This is one man's project to bring technology that many take for granted to parts of the world where many have not even seen this technology. There are people out there giving vaccines and medicines (i.e. The Fred Hollows Foundation) and there are people and organisations out there helping to grow crops and establish food reserves.

The project shouldn't be criticised because "these people have bigger problems". That's as narrow minded as saying "they don't deserve technology".