Nicholas Negroponte’s $100 laptop for Third World students (now $150) is becoming a reality after years in the making.  The purpose is education via connection – that students will learn how to learn once equipped with a laptop and wireless connection.  The project has been controversial (should precious funding be targeted at teachers and curriculum rather than tools?), but it strikes me as the right way to go.  Put information in the hands of students, directly, and empower them to learn.  It follows the philosophy of the Internet and seeds the developing world’s future.

Our county ultimately voted down a proposal to give a laptop to every middle school and high school student and teacher.  An innovative idea got sabotaged in politics and funding.  It looks like Negroponte’s dream will fare better – production is expected to begin in mid-2007.  See article.