One Laptop Per Child
One Laptop per Child (OLPC) is a non-profit organization founded in 2005 with the goal of transforming education by providing every child with access to a connected laptop computer, the XO laptop. Connected laptops provide a cost-effective way for states to create learning environments that facilitate the greatest possible development of all children. We are driven by a firm belief that laptops have a unique ability to leverage children’s innate curiosity and desire to learn, to develop critical thinking skills, and to foster a life-long love of learning.
OLPC Mission
To create educational opportunities for all by providing each child with a rugged, low-cost, low-power, connected laptop with content and software designed for collaborative, joyful, self-empowered learning.
Five core principles
- Child ownership
- Access to information and activities at all times create a portable learning and teaching environment. Child ownership includes protecting, caring for, and sharing this creative environment.
- Low ages
- The XO is designed for the use of children ages 4 to 12, covering the years of elementary school.
- Saturation
- In order to achieve meaningful educational improvement each child should own a laptop so no one is left out: digital saturation implies whole communities to become a part of the program.
- Connection
- XOs not only connect to the internet but to other XOs as well, providing an “expanded school” that grows beyond the walls of the classroom, enabling a dialogue among generations, nations and cultures.
- Free and Open Software
- As children grow and pursue new ideas, the software, content, resources and tools should be able to grow with them. Children not only participate in activities and acquire knowledge; they can create activities and transfer knowledge too, and share it with the entire global community.