The main aim of the articles is to give the general information on the new concept of laptop manufacturing, and discover the factors, which led to the failure of XO laptop. Version 2.0, which is described in the article by Marks (2008), is the serial variant of the model, while the probationary period of the first variant has previously succeeded.
The main consideration, represented in the article is associated with the fact, that the new model of laptops for children is a very successful and highly potential solution of the educational issues, and the maters of computer education for kids. All the aspects, which are closely related with implementing laptops for the school education, have been regarded in the article, and, there is strong necessity to emphasize that the original purpose of manufacturing these laptops is to improve the educational system in countries of south and central Africa, as well as in Latin America.
Taking into consideration the fact that computer literacy is one of the most important aspects of the nowadays education. Originally, the implementation of this device into the educational systems of the schools will be able to improve the curriculum in general and simplify the completion of the studying assignments for children, as they will be able to make them using their laptops.
The problems, which will be associated with this implementation have been regarded as the challenges, that have been already solved, or will be solved within the nearest time. These problems are closely linked with safety of the data, health issues related to the PC use by children, and the matters of software availability. Originally, it was the perfect idea to provide the free, Linux based, software for the equipment, as free operational systems are more comfortable in comparison with shareware or paid OS.
Political issues, which will be associated with the providing of the new educational plan, will touch upon the matters of the curriculum, educational plans, and teaching strategies. As the article states, some teachers refused to retire, after they had tied to teach with the help of the new laptop for children. Thus, the curriculum will have to be changed in accordance with the new realities. Schools will have to provide the proper infrastructure for implementing these laptops, and achieving the new educational practices.
In the light of the fact that the implementation of this system in some countries of Latin America caused serious safety problems, as Marks (2008) emphasizes following fact: “In Colombia Negroponte and colleagues needed a 200-troop bodyguard to supply laptops and a satellite dish to a school in a region controlled by the FARC guerrillas”.
Marketing positioning of the new XO computer is regarded to be successful enough for increasing the sales all over the world; nevertheless, the company makes emphasis on Africa and Latin America, while it is hard to compete with giants of computer technologies.
The unsuccessful launch of the project revealed the fact that there were serious problems, which had not been taken into consideration by the managerial team. Evans (2009) gives clear argumentation why the project is “a piece of crap”. Jon Evans has compared XO laptop with his Acer netbook, which is in the same price segment; nevertheless it is miles better from the XO device.
Taking into consideration the fact, that it is hard o compete with the giants of computer technologies, XO manufacturers wished to solve all the possible problems in a single project, thus, they failed to solve any. The detailed analysis of the failures is represented in the article, consequently, there is strong necessity to emphasize that managers of the project have failed to keep up with the realities of computer industry, and failed to manage the project properly.
From the managerial point of view, if the decision was to manufacture principally new device, the problems and the issues should have been solved gradually, starting either from hardware or from software. Linux based Sugar software is the optimal decision for education, nevertheless, it hardly runs on the hardware of the XO laptop. On the one hand, children could learn to use Linux based operational system in order to avoid expansive Microsoft Windows OS, however, on the other hand, children should be aware of how to use UI systems, as currently they are widely spread all over the world.
This is the origin of another managerial and marketing problem: market researchers did not study their target audience, and did not test, whether children will be using their products with pleasure, and whether it is comfortable for the study. (Howes, 2006)
The technical performance of the project is even lower than the software aspect. The hardware is cheap and unreliable. The communication technologies are not powerful and smart enough to get connected with the encrypted Wi-Fi connection, thus, the issue of data safety has not been solved either.
Originally, the idea of creating a cheap and available laptop for teaching and study is the perfect idea, nevertheless, the perfect ideas require perfect performance, which entails the primary study of the market segment, study of the target audience, the opinions of the teaching committee and teachers in schools. The aim of this research would be whether the use of XO laptops will be comfortable for improving the teaching process, how the children will be using them in the educational needs, and how the curriculum should be changed, in the context of the effectiveness of the educational process with the use of XO laptops.
The manufacturers should have started with one aspect of the project: software (elaboration of the required soft on the basis of technical solution by other company), or hardware (providing the best technical solution for a widely spread Operational System)
The subject of the article is associated with the problems, which are originally the causes of poor management and improper approach towards solving the set problems, consequently, the failure of the project “One Laptop Per Child” was condemned to failure. (Reiss, 2005)
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be emphasized that the project of XO laptop seemed to be rather potential, as the concept of a netbook for childish education is the necessary facto for improving the educational principles and providing the increased computer literacy for children and for adults. The failure of the project is emphasized by improper management of project performance, while the solution of the stated problems was not performed properly.
Bibliography
Evans, Jon. One Laptop Per Child: What Went Wrong. The Walrus, 2009.
Howes, Norman R. Modern Project Management: Successfully Integrating Project Management Knowledge Areas and Processes. New York: AMACOM, 2006.
Marks, Paul. One Laptop Per Child ready for version 2.0. Newscientist. 2008.
Reiss, Geoff. Project Management Demystified: Today’s Tools and Techniques. 2nd ed. London: E & FN Spon, 2005.