strange symphonies

Intel Classmate rolling out in Malaysia

Note: Update 15th May 2007: Thanks to Firdauz it seems like they will be using Windows XP Professional and Office. Source is the New Straits Times

Two thousand units of the Classmate PCs, equipped with Microsoft XP Professional Edition, Microsoft Office 2003 and Learning Essentials, will be donated to these schools over the next three years.

That overcomes one of the hurdles, but dramatically increases the cost of the machine. Except unless they are ‘donated’ as the article states.

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This news went under the radar, especially with the big hoo haa over the OLPC XO. But it seems that Malaysia will roll out the Intel Classmate by July.

This is interesting especially with the recent demo of the OLPC by Jaya Kumar the MyOSS Meetups (Yes, I know a review is pending)

This partnership, which comes under the chipmaker’s World Ahead Initiative, will involve the implementation of the 1:1 (oneto-one) e-learning model where students are each given a specially-designed RM1,050 notebook computer called Classmate.

The programme, said Intel, will kick-off in July with 10 schools in peninsular Malaysia participating in the pilot.

Rather than reiterating myself, read my old post on why I don’t think ICT is the solution for education.

Sadly they don’t state what operating system they would be using. I believe with high chances it might be the recently announce USD 3 Windows and Office. Which is completely sub par to a normal Windows and Office installation, and is a complete joke. Juding from the picture it looks like Windows. Why not use a full blown Linux desktop? According to Wikipedia, it will be running Mandriva Linux Discovery 2009 Edition.

Schools to be implemented in:

• Johor, SMK Bandar T6
• Kedah, SK Jitra
• Kelantan, SMKA Falahiah
• Kuala Lumpur, SMK Seri Permaisuri
• Melaka, SK Ayer Keroh
• Negeri Sembilan, SMKA Sheikh Hj Mohd Said
• Pahang, SMK Clifford
• Penang, SMK Datuk Hj Ahmad Badawi
• Perak, SK King Edward VII
• Terengganu, SMK Padang Midin

Note: If you are from any of these schools, or know anyone from these schools. Do get in contact with me. I’d love to discuss how this is being implemented, and what not.

If they do plan to use Mandriva, I expect the biggest resistance from the most well off locations. Simply because they are accustomed to Windows. This could potentially be the biggest problem.

Other problems I foresee with a 1:1 roll out:

• How many students are there? How expensive will this be?
• Do the teachers/students even know Mandriva
• Who is going to support Mandriva in Malaysia? Judging from the locations of the selected schools, even if one guy could support it. They are two far away to physically support them.
• Who is going to support broken down machines?
• How else can students utilize it?
• Can they learn how to program on it?
• Will Open Content materials be distributed with it?

She said technology, when used efficiently to teach subjects in school, can help students develop 21st century skills that are needed in a globalised world.

These include problem solving, delegation and communication skills.

“With computers, teachers and students can look for the answer on the Internet together and this can sharpen their problem-solving skills,” Debjani said.

Globalized world? They first need practical skills for living in a non-globalized world.

Computers do not solve problem solving, delegation and communication skills.

The Internet? Look at Malaysian Internet my friends, and we all know the sorry state of it. If this was to roll out to every student out there, even in the rural areas, do they even have Internet there? Is it even reliable?

Does someone have the numbers on the number of students in Malaysia so we could figure out the total cost of this?