Are these labtops enough?

Technology is easily taken for granted in this country. I am sitting in front of a computer right now in the library. If I don’t like the space I can simply move to another computer out of the hundreds available to me. If I don’t want a public computer, I can just go back to my room and use my laptop. With the gluttony of technology today, people including myself forget quickly how fortunate we are. An article written by the BBC “Uruguay Buys First $100 computer” reminded me of how economically disadvantaged the rest of the world is.

The article detailed the plans of a non-profit organization, One Laptop Per Child (OLPC), in distributing cheap laptops to children in developing countries. The laptops can be purchased cheaply and can run on solar, foot pump, or pull string energy. Likewise, they are waterproof and highly durable. On first thought, I thought this was an awesome idea. People from economically depressed backgrounds should have access too. Yet, now I wonder if its really enough. Computers can be an amazing learning tool, but I am not sure if the laptops that are being distributed are. They do not receive internet connection, which removes much of the usefulness of computers since they can connect to other computers. Further, the article never mentioned if there were encyclopedias or other educational software stored on it. If it doesn’t, then another huge potential learning asset is gone. Besides educational software and the internet, there is not much computers can do as far as learning goes. I am sure the children who receive these love to play with them, yet it would be a shame if its only use was playing games or typing. In no way am I saying that they shouldn’t have access to computers, rather I am saying that maybe its not enough. It would be a truly great learning experience for these kids to be able to connect with the rest of the world, and explore what is outside their realm.