Kids and computing

A good friend sent me this note:

These links describe a very interesting experiment in India regarding bring computing and Internet to kids. Computers are placed in open kiosks, and kids just figure out how to use them with no adult intervention.

Hole in the Wall

Just questions and answers about Hole in the Wall.

So I had to go read this stuff. One of the items that really caught my attention was what the kids learn from these 'hole in the wall computers'.

An estimated 100 children can learn to do most or all of the following tasks in approximately three months, using the "hole-in-wall" arrangement with a single PC:

1. All windows operational functions, such as click, drag, open, close, resize, minimize, menus, navigation etc.
2. Draw and paint pictures on the computer
3. Load and save files
4. Play games
5. Run educational and other programs
6. Play music and video, view photos and pictures
7. Browse and surf the Internet, if a connection is available.
8. Set up e-mail accounts
9. Send and receive e-mail
10. Chat on the Internet
11. Do simple troubleshooting, for example, if the speakers are not working.
12. Download and play streaming media
13. Download games

Now I'm worried. Guess I need to start locking my PC up with the kids around. They'll be downloading more stuff than I can keep up with at this rate. GRIN.

Posted by vw bug at February 22, 2005 03:25 PM | TrackBack