The One Laptop Per Child organisation recently tried an experiment, where they dropped off a number of tablet PCs in two remote Ethiopian villages. The aim was to see if children with no previous experience of the written word and literacy, and in an area far from any schools and teachers, could begin to teach themselves, and one another.
Within five days, the children were using on average 47 learning apps per day. Within two weeks, the children were “singing ABC songs” and were beginning to learn basic alphabet and writing skills. Though still very early on in the experiment, this is a great idea that really makes good use of technology!
At Link Ethiopia, we’ve been enabling schoolchildren and their teachers to use ICT by equipping schools with computers and other equipment. If you would like to find out more head to Technology Blog. You can also donate here.