mobile Class Project: 40 years later

SPOT the three us (2 boys and 1 girl in coat)  in  this April 2014 OLPC deployment picture 40 years later!  Three class members of Malacca U6Sc5 (1976) with the help of OLPC Asia conducted its 1st mobile lesson with the XOs to a group Orang Asli indigenous children of Malaysia. 

This is a start and we look forward to an evolution of the project when the right people and resources are in place. It was an exciting start to kickoff the mobile Open Learning Chest (mOLC) in Malaysia.

Here are sample of the deployment videos of the mOLC and children in action:

Part 1: SD card and XO distribution of the 1st mobile Open Learning Chest
Part 2: Opening the XO
Part 3: Booting and personlization of SD boot card
Part 4: Playing to purposeful play
Part 5: Recording with the XO samples
Part 6: Debriefing 2 hours later
Part 7: Feedback on what they like
Part 8: Shutting down the XO and retriving the inserted SD card
Part 9: Group photo and outside debriefing on the future

olpc 2.0: challenge to makers

I made a presentation at the Maker Faire@Shenzhen Educational Panel forum on April 7, 2014. As there were  many makers from all over the world, I took this opportunity to challenge makers to contribute their expertise in building the next device/devices for olpc 2.0. I used Einstein quote and a recent comment of Walter Bender to illustrate a few points on making  learning tools.

The video of the presentation can be seen here with the slides here 

I met the Malaysian group whose members  are mainly from Penang Science Cluster (PC). Ha had a nice photo taken together with Dale Dougherty.  PCP will be running a very large Science Fair in Nov 15-16 this year :-). The date struck a chord :-) 

Maybe a reminder that basecamp2014 should continue into Penang as we trek into asia? Let see where the karma of olpc 2.0 will take.

I managed to have long discussions with 2 low-cost motherboard developers to ignite their interest in helping develop Open Learning Platform Devices olpc 2.0. They (and their staff)  were  impressed with the current XO4-touch, and now have a better understanding of  its value and WHY the XO laptop is the best integrated solution for children in harsh environment.

In my talk,  50%  have heard about OLPC, but less then 10% have actually touched one. I found out that Joey Hudy don't own one :-( 

Makers from various part of the world made use of  idle time (during bus travel) to explore the XO4 Touch and are IMPRESSED. A Japanese maker mentioned that the XO is the ultimate geek hacking tool sought after by friends he know. On that note, maybe I will engage this super evangelist for a Japanese sponsored deployment team in the future!

Other highlight is a glimpse into the manufacturing process of products at various Shenzhen factories :-). Manual labor is still needed in the process. Enjoy this Gear Activity that I found fascinating to watch. Just don't stick your fingers in it!