OLPC - "eaten my homework"

[Jeff Kinz]

On Wed, May 31, 2006 at 03:42:35PM -0400, David Ecklein wrote:
> Has the need for expensive "rugged" textbooks been taken for granted?
> Remember, we are discussing education in developing countries.
> 
> In the Philippines (especially outside of Manila), it has been common for
> teachers to be the sole possessor of such  textbooks, aside from the school
> library, from which it may have been borrowed.  He or she then reproduces
> extracts on a mimeo and passes it out to the students as the lessons
> dictate.  The students then have a copy of their own timely information -
> rather than anyone investing in "rugged" books that get outdated after being
> passed down just a few times to incoming students.  By the way, everything
> rots in the Philippines, even "rugged" US-made textbooks.
> 
And your shorts too, I've heard. :-)


> In modern Greece, a society somewhere between the developing world and the
> most advanced industrial countries, the use of "expensive rugged" school
> textbooks is eschewed.  Every Greek student receives a cheaply printed
> up-to-date book each year for each course.  These paperback books are
> personal property of the students, and are not passed down - avoidance of
> multiple serial abuse plus pride of ownership are enough to keep the book in
> better condition.  See Alan Cromer "Connected Knowledge" (Oxford 1997).

I like this idea better than the teacher being the sole owner.  I don't
suppose many people would keep their first year reading primer very long
but what the hey, its going to rot anyway.

/me shoots Dave E. for top posting...... :) 


-- 
Jeff Kinz, Emergent Research, Hudson, MA.
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