As prices of ICT hardware are decreasing, low-cost computing devices are spreading rapidly in schools, not just in industrialised countries, but increasingly in developing ones as well. There are many projects and programs currently underway that focus on the use of low-cost ICT devices for developing countries.

Only a few months ago the “One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) Initiative” (originally a group at the Media Lab of MIT, now an independent organisation) developed the so-called “100$ Laptop” (or XO-Laptop). The main goal of OLPC is to introduce a low cost laptop that “is poised to empower and educate children through the use of technology, and connect the world’s next generation of thinkers.”

On this account GTZ conducted a pilot-test of the XO-Laptops in two Ethiopian schools. This report gives a first overview on possible use and impact of low-cost computing devices to poor people in developing countries.

Update (March 6): In the meantime also our partner company (eduvision) published its first implementation-report. Eduvision’s role in the project was to provide their solution for editable interactive textbooks as well as their educational consulting skills for a period of 3 month.