I hope it is not too late to add another pennyworth to the discussion on
the FT article.
I am afraid that we might be in danger of "throwing the baby out with the
bath water".
The hardware of earlier PCs often differed, depending on the producer, and
was not always compatible. I therefore understand the argument that sending
old PCs to developing countries was not always advisable since the hardware
could not be maintained. However, this applies less to newer technologies
because most hardware is now compatible and spare parts are therefore more
readily available. Indeed we (EOS, Educating for an Open Society) had some
maintenance problems with computer equipment we sent to Romanian schools in
the early days of our work. These problems were largely overcome because we
only sent equipment that had been originally produced by RM plc (a
specialist in ICT in British education). It was therefore possible to train
local technicians to maintain the equipment, and to cannibalise (we regularly
send a full lorryload of around 300 computers, acquired when British
schools and colleges upgrade - and we have provided more than 100 Romanian
schools with 15-station networks).
More importantly, we have acquired permission to distribute a package of
content-free generic educational software which is compatible with all the
networks we have installed into the schools.
Even more importantly we have provided ICT teacher training which has
enabled Romanian teachers to apply the use of the computer networks and the
educational software provided.This training is enabling the use of ICT to
improve the quality of education in Romania while pupils are developing
transferable skills and entrepreneurial abilities.
I suggest that it is important to decide on the objectives and only then
decide which hardware and software is appropriate.
Lesley Andrews
E O S
Educating for an Open Society
An educational NGO registered in England and Romania
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