Birmingham mayor seeks low-cost laptops

Raymond Jashembowski
Language Arts and Technology
EDLA 615
December 4, 2007
Current Issue #5

Title: Birmingham mayor seeks low-cost laptops
Publisher: eSchool news
Date of Publication: December 03, 2007
Author: eSchool news staff and wire service reports
Summary:

Low cost computers may be coming to Birmingham Alabama. Following suit with many other cities and countries, Birmingham is trying to be the next participant in the XO Laptop craze that could revolutionize education. This deal would allow Birmingham to provide these laptops for the same price as other developing nations. The deal that is still in negotiations between Birmingham mayor Larry Langford and the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) foundation would provide a laptop for every child in grades 1-8. It would cost about 3 million dollars or approximately $200.00 a piece. If the deal is reached it would be a breakthrough in OLPC’s efforts for American cities to participate. Spokeswoman for OLPC Jackie Lang made this statement for eSchool news, “We have no comment. It is unfortunate that this information was released before any deal was finalized.”

The money for this technology integration would come from two parts, the city budget and private sector donations. The Superintendent of schools for Birmingham also said this deal would give there students a chance to be competitive. The city counsel was to vote on the proposal on November 21, but more time was needed to evaluate the effects of distributing the laptops. Larry Langford and his associate John Katopodis have been successful in the past where they provided computers for kids. They formed Computer Help for kids, which provided rebuilt computers to students in need.

I like the idea as long as there are a couple of factors set up before the computers are distributed. Support needs to be in place for the students and faculty for technical problems and also help when schools are closed and students are trying to do their work at home. If the support isn’t there it could turn into a waste of taxpayer’s money. All in all if the deal is reached and computers are put in the hands of these students’ results will be imminent in a few years.