Helping Kids Via XO Laptops
Students of Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School (MLQES) can now experience the full benefits of using computer technologies in their curriculum studies. Donated by Procter & Gamble (P&G) Philippines, XO laptops has touched more than 1,000 students from grades 4, 5 and 6, allowing for richer learning.
“With the XO laptop, children have the tool for creative expression and empowered learning. And with the connectivity that e.Studyante also provides through our partner Smart, students also have real-time access to the world’s knowledge. The laptop and internet connection become tools that expand students’ horizons and enable them to have a brighter future,” said Chad Sotelo, P&G Country Marketing Manager.
An XO laptop runs with a specialized OS called Sugar. The platform provides mechanisms for collaboration, reflection, and exploration. Sugar Activities cover a broad range of applications: browsing, drawing, composing, writing, programming, and more.
“The core of this project’s objectives, as far as students are concerned, is the drive to empower them with the ability to express and explore their own version of learning, an education that is not locked in a box. This will give the learners a chance to excel and focus on the field of their choice,” explained Tessa Yuvienco, Education Director of eKindling.
Designed for children, the XO laptops are built for endurance, this multi proof device comes with a full array of software tools and content for collaborative, self-learning and fun activities. It is capable of mathematical equotaions from basic additions and subtractions up to Trigonometry problems. The XO laptop contains a massive encyclopedia suited for everything a child needs to learn.
“It helps with our difficult assignments because now we can do research, like I was able to learn about the life cycles of insects and animals,” said Grade 4 student Roneil Sagales.
“We are more excited to go to school because we know that there are now gadgets that can help us here in school. Like in English, if there are words that are hard to pronounce, there is a program where you can enter the word and it will pronounce it,” said Eljay Marinduque, another Grade 4 student.
The XO Laptop creates its own mesh network, with each machine being a full-time wireless router. With this connectivity, students no longer have to talk during lectures, and instead, chat. Assignments are sent via e-mail.
The laptop features a 7.5-inch, 1200×900-pixel, TFT screen and self-refreshing display with higher resolution (200 DPI) than 95% of the laptops on the market today. Two display modes are available: a transmissive, full-color mode and a reflective, high-resolution mode that is sunlight readable. The transmissive mode consumes one watt, about one seventh of the average LCD power consumption in a laptop and and the reflective mode consumes 0.2 watts.
For added robustness, the machine’s plastic walls are 2.0mm thick, as opposed to the standard 1.3mm. Its mesh network antennas double as external covers for the USB ports, which are protected internally . The display is also cushioned by internal “bumpers.”
To top up the battery—for use at home and where power is not available—the laptop can even be hand powered. It will come with at least two of three options: a crank, a pedal, or a pull-cord. It is also possible that children could have a second battery for group-charging at school while they are using their laptop in class. The batteries contain no toxic harardous materials, andfeatures enhanced battery management for an extended recharge-cycle lifetime. It will also tolerate alternate power-charging sources, such as car batteries.
In the future there are plans for expansions for the XO 3.0, a tablet-based XO laptop that is cheaper to produce and consumes less energy than their predecessors. The XO laptops are not available in the market and directed only for the less fortunate children.
By JONATHAN KEVIN CASTILLO
mb.com.ph
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