[kictanet] Laptops for 2014 class 1 entrants

Wed Apr 10 10:58:44 EAT 2013

olpc started this eons back, and FYI the XO-1 cost 100USD to make, with
subsequent plans having been to make a flexible tablet that can withstand
the abuse that children could subject it to. As for curriculum, would be an
open field for local developers to embark on something significant for the
good of the young generation. Have had several interesting discussions on
what / how entry level programming should be taught.

IMHO, getting the laptops in their hands is winning half the battle.

more info:
www.olpc.com
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/22/olpc-shows-off-absurdly-thin-xo-3-concept-tablet-for-2012/

Maybe this could be a good time for the honourable minister to combine the
vision of Konza city to invite these fellas to invest in a production
facility locally that would anchor the product solidly in the local domain.

On Wed, Apr 10, 2013 at 9:55 AM, robert yawe <robertyawe at yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

> Another reason why the laptop project is the future
>
>
> http://pandodaily.com/2013/04/05/ten-websites-that-teach-coding-and-a-bunch-of-other-things/
>
> regards
>
>
>
> Robert Yawe
> KAY System Technologies Ltd
> Phoenix House, 6th Floor
> P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200
> Kenya
>
> Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696
>   ------------------------------
> *From:* Walubengo J <jwalu at yahoo.com>
> *To:* robertyawe at yahoo.co.uk
> *Cc:* kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> *Sent:* Wednesday, 10 April 2013, 8:40
> *Subject:* Re: [kictanet] Laptops for 2014 class 1 entrants
>
>
> @Yawe,
>
> I was on travel (not to SA :-) but caught up with our two new Principals.
> Great speeches. But if there's someone already in the new Presidents
> kitchen cabinet plse pass the following news.  Just drop the laptop
> business or at least modify it because of the following reasons.
>
> 1. Curriculum.
> Ok. So the kids have laptops next year. What to do with them? Play games,
> watch porn? In other words do we have an IT curriculum for these youngsters
> or we believe they will automatically become Bill Gates once we throw
> gadgets at them.?
>
> 2. IT Teachers.
> Assuming we cobble together some curriculum before next year. How soon can
> we get out primary teachers upto speed on the same? Do we have a ToT
> program in place. ToT= Training of Trainers for the non-academics.
>
> 3. Examinations.
> It is known that Kenyans learn ONLY when it is examinable. Indeed teachers
> make space in their timetables if they know the unit is examinable.
> Otherwise you can as well do your IT lessons at home as your hobby since
> the lesson will NOT be scheduled at the expense of say Mathematics which is
> examinable. So is the KNEC ready with this exam?
>
> 4. Security/Theft.
> If folks can still IEBC laptops from secure strongrooms, what about
> laptops hanging either in staffrooms or  on standard 1 pupils?  What about
> a poor parent who opts to trade in the laptop in favour of cash to use for
> other purposes? This is not far fetched since even the largely successful
> Wezesha Laptop initiative were University students got subsidized Laptops
> and quite a number sold them off at market price.
>
> 5. Maintenance\Disposal program.
> Usually laptops are rarely maintained. Just dump them after 3-4yrs. So we
> need to think efficient disposal mechanism for 1million+ gadgets across
> rural and urban Kenya. Worse still those Kids will now be in standard 4 and
> so our buget for laptops will double -both for Sdt1s and the Std4s.
>
> But I have a simple solution for our new digital President. Just traget
> Form1s and perharps forget Laptops and adopt Networked
> PCs. The ecosytem described above is more mature to take on this great
> idea. Our Primary schools will just drain this initiative with little
> returns to the taxpayer.
>
> walu.
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
> On Wed, Apr 10, 2013 7:56 AM AST (Arabian) robert yawe wrote:
>
> >Hi,
> >
> >I like the confirmation by the President - sworn and his deputy on the
> issue of laptops for class 1 students from next year, it is commendable and
> quite easily achievable but as ICT experts are laptops the ideal items or
> would low power touchscreen tablets be more practical and appropriate?
> However .com that the two principles are I suspect that they might not be
> up to speed on devices.
> >
> >Here again for the umpteenth time the opportunity for us to become
> relevant presents itself, shall we take action or sit back to carry out a
> forensic analysis when only 80% of the students get the devices?
> >
> >Regards
> >
> >PS.  A new dispensation, a new dedication and new vigor
> >
> >
> >
> >Robert Yawe
> >KAY System Technologies Ltd
> >Phoenix House, 6th Floor
> >P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200
> >Kenya
> >
> >
> >Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696
>
>
>
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