MIT Media Lab: $100 Laptop

Originally mooted by Nicholas Negroponte, the MIT Media Lab has taken up the challenge to deliver a USD$100 laptop. Their target it to have units ready for shipment end 2006/early 2007, which is quite ambitious. Especially considering that the laptop is supposed to have WiFi, USB, and a camera. The idea of providing computers to children and schools in under-developed remote areas is not new. In Malaysia, there have been many failed projects, even with big budgets and top-down push from the government. Part of the blame falls on incompetent execution - we've seen computers, TVs and satellite dishes sent to schools with no electricity supply, and numerous computer labs have been declared structurally unsafe. Perhaps the most important hurdle would be training the teachers. I believe that the kids, left alone, would learn to use the laptops in no time flat. Rather than dictating a strict official curriculum, the teachers must be bold enough to take a step back and gently guide the kids to the right resources.