A u s t r a l i a
50,000 laptops will reach Australia
OLPC Australia began in 2008 as the idea of Rangan Srikhanta, founder and CEO. Today the organization continues its mission of delivering 500,000 XOs to primary-school-aged children across the continent. On May 8, 2012, the government of Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced that its next budget would include $11.7 million to fund further expansion of OLPC in Australia. This government grant will enable the delivery of an additional 50,000 laptops along with
associated training, software development, and support for teachers, students and their communities. According to Srikhanta, the government’s contribution will support the “One Education” initiative. OLPC Australia’s One Education program, a culmination of years of research and development, expands the power of the XO by making teacher support an intrinsic part of its program. Using the Little Green Machine, One Education’s “Seed
Beacon Council Honors OLPC with Special Judges’ Award On April 25, OLPC received Holmes Elementary School.
The award, sponsored
a special judges’ honor at The honor acknowledges by Baptist Health Systems, the 10th Annual Beacon organizations for outstand- was received at a gala celAwards. The Beacon Coun- ing contributions to the lo- ebration at Marlins Park cil, Miami-Dade County’s cal economy in terms of job that included nearly 1,000 official development part- creation, business expan- business, civic and governner, recognized OLPC for sion, corporate citizenship ment leaders. its digital literacy effort at and industry leadership.
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SUMMSER 0 1 2 , 2O0L1P2,C OALSSO AT I OCN ER TTER U M2MER PC C AISSO I ATNE I OW NSLNEETT WSLE
and Grow” plan strives to create local sustainability one classroom at a time. In order for students to receive laptops teachers must complete 15 hours of online training to become XO Certified. Additional training turns educators into XO Experts, which qualifies them to instruct others to become certified. XO Certified teachers then engage students by helping them become XO Champions or XO Mechanics. XO Champions are proficient in basic software support, and
XO Mechanics are able to repair the laptops. As a result of this approach, the children gain a comprehensive understanding of the XO and play a major part in the roll out of the program. One Education proves that it is possible to distribute technology for social change by placing complete ownership with those most responsible for its success. Through the initiative teachers, children, and the community are engaged in an eco-system of learning.
“In a global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity – it is a pre-requisite.” President Barack Obama