Providing Lesotho's Children with Keys to the World

This is the story of our efforts to end the vicious cycle of poverty, disease, inadequate education, and early death
in a remote rural community in Lesotho, Africa, by providing quality education and life skills
to the young children there. Join us on our journey ...

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Hole-in-the-Wall Computer & Minimally Invasive Education

We are having some interesting discussions about a program that started in India using a single computer with internet access placed outdoors in a wall where anybody and everybody could use it.  (It looks like an ATM.)


It was so successful that kids with no education at all were teaching themselves.  The program has since been expanded, and they even have computers at playgrounds now.  We are tossing around the idea and wondering if we should try putting one of our XO laptops outdoors like this in Ketane.

The India project found some very interesting results.  It worked best for 6-12 year olds and those in groups of about 4.  One thing they learned was that regardless of the language on the computer, the kids were able to learn how to use it and discover features and information all on their own.  They tried giving the kids some physics questions and let them look for the answers on their own.  The result was pretty amazing.  That led to the concept of minimally invasive education, teaching by asking questions.

If you'd like to learn more about the Hole-in-the-Wall project and minimally invasive education, check out:  http://www.hole-in-the-wall.com/

- Janissa