Cheap educational computing – the one to prove
Currently it’s all “supply-side” hype that has yet to convert into demand side requirements. It doesn’t mean it won’t happen, it’s just there’s some pretty rough ground that has yet to be travelled.
This week Microsoft added its voice to the chorus by announcing that it will sell its software for just $3 (£1.50) in some parts of the world in an attempt to double the number of global PC users. The firm wants to bring computing to a further one billion people by 2015: no-one deals in less than billions in this space. Governments in developing countries can purchase the cut-price software, if they provide free PCs for schools.
One of the first products, that is hoped will reach the next billion people is the Microsoft’s student Innovation Suite. The package includes Windows XP Starter Edition, Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007, as well as other educational software.
The $3 package will start to be sold to governments in the second half of 2007. Governments will be required to provide free computers to schools, capable of running Windows, to be eligible for the discounted software. This is a move clearly designed to head off the Linux based One Lap Top Per Child machine.
One Lap Top Per Child is saying that it will start delivering to its customers this summer. However, it’s still wrestling with getting the price down. Currently it costs $150 per machine but it’s still hoping to bring this down to $100. The first countries to sign up to buying the machine, which is officially dubbed XO, include Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Rwanda, Nigeria and Libya.
Meanwhile, Intel has developed its own counterpart machines the Classmate PC and the Eduwise notebook. The Eduwise costs $400 but can run both Windows and Linux. According to an Intel spokesperson: “The World Ahead Program, which integrates Intel’s efforts in accessibility, connectivity and education, seeks a multiplier effect to accelerate the next wave of gains." The Intel-developed education application integrates with other non-computing learning tasks such as note taking and handwriting with wireless pen attachments.
The systems, unveiled in Mexico in 2006 as part of Intel’s Discover the PC initiative, provide what is claimed to be an easy-to-use, fully functional PC for first-time users. Intel also plans to extend teacher training to 400,000 teachers in Mexico through the Intel Teach to the Future program by 2010.
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