XO laptop

The XO-1, previously known as the $100 Laptop or Children’s Machine, is an inexpensive laptop computer intended to be distributed to children in developing countries around the world, to provide them with access to knowledge, and opportunities to “explore, experiment and express themselves” (constructionist learning). The laptop is developed by the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) social welfare organization, and manufactured by the Taiwanese computer company, Quanta Computer.
– Wikipedia

I stumbled across my first XO laptop in the wild this morning whilst at the Digital Educator seminar. First impressions are that the unit is visually very toy like, in fact if you were to have told me it was styled by Fisher-Price I would believe it.

The locking mechanisms, although not following standard methods from other vendors, was quite intuitive. The keyboard felt quite good with a very comfortable typing response.

During this session I didn’t get much more of an evaluation than powering the unit up and jumping through a few applications. The ’sugar’ interface takes a little getting use to

[1] OLPC XO-1 [Wikipedia]
[2] Explore the XO [laptopgiving.org]

Ozeconferences (May 2008)

Ozeconferences
Ozeconferences – AARNet has established regular video conference information/sessions aimed at encouraging the use of video technology by testing/demonstrating equipment and applications, and discussing a broad range of ICT, Network, Applications and Service issues and developments. Discussion and questions are encouraged.

The Ozeconferences for May 2008 have been;

Ozeconf – Internet Industry Association Update
Wed 28 May 2008 1PM – 2PM (AEST)

Abstract
The internet arose in an anarchic sort of way. Some of the most compelling applications driving the growth and development of the Net and the ever increasing demand for broadband are provided by intermediaries. Whether we are talking Google, You Tube, Facebook, eBay or ISPs, all have one thing in common. They have little or no control over what their users do once online. The same is true for universities.
At the same time, governments and old economy corporations are struggling to maintain social control or preserve established business models. This tension has played out in legislation, but can it be enforced? And what are the consequences for the internet of exposing intermediaries to ever increasing risk? Find out when you attend Ozeconference on 28 May.

Ozeconf – Video room design essentials
Mon 19th May 2008 4PM – 5PM (AEST).

Abstract
Ulrich Schwenn will address the Ozeconf with a short presentation on his specialties in the video conferencing arena. Ulrich will focus on the evaluation of customer needs, consulting, planning and supervising of installation of high quality multimedia & videoconferencing solutions from small meeting rooms to university lecture halls, with emphasis on specific demands of multi-site organizations.

This talk stems from the recent discussions on the AARNet Voice, Video and Collaboration email list (VVC-l) and is aimed at stimulating an open discussion on the challenges associated with room design and user interaction features for implementing video conferencing in the face of ever increasing user expectations.

Ozeconf – Wireless Security
Wed 14th May 2008 1PM – 2PM (AEST).

Abstract

Despite all of the publicity of the various dangers of obsolete or poorly configured wireless networks, the reality is that typical commercial and even some government WLAN deployments have serious security issues.

The IEEE 802.11 robust security network, or RSN, as defined in IEEE 802.11i, although headlining print and academia, is a far cry from many of the latest live commercial deployments. This presentation discusses and compares the differences between theory and practice — between WEP, WPA, WPA2, IEEE802.11i, RSN and TSN — and their application in private, commercial and government environments.

A brief overview of a series of tests on WPA2 WLANs illustrates the problem of weak configurations of WPA2 WLANs compromising RSN requirements and a discussion of just a few of the many current issues in developing experimental, prototype or laboratory IEEE 802.11 environments leads into some recent advances in deploying true open-source drivers direct to the hardware of the versatile Atheros chipsets, without the constraint of an intervening proprietary hardware abstraction layer.

The Digital Educator – an Education Faculty Focus

The Digital Educator – an Education Faculty Focus.
May 30th. 10:30 – 12:00
There are a number (102 at last count!) of Australian government reports telling us that teacher training is too variable and in some areas a disappointment to both teachers and school management. The Australian Governments’ “Education Revolution” highlights the need to bring educators up to speed on technology integration. The Clark Government has had similar drivers in NZ for some time. As the recent DEST Report “Making Better Connections” states, “the bulk of the literature supports the notion of integrated approaches being superior to separate subjects of instruction in terms of student teachers being able to make meaningful use of ICT in their teaching experiences”. We will look at integration of I.T. across the curriculum and explore how technology can be used in the classroom and teacher training.

Now is the time to focus on existing investments in educational technology to return maximum benefits in learning and achievement. The easiest, most effective, and least expensive way to do that is to leverage existing technical infrastructure by providing network services that support teaching and learning.

Communication and collaboration services enable the creation of learning communities ‹ teachers and students engaged in conversation or groups of students collaborating on an assignments. We’ll be looking at essential communication and collaboration services such as WIKI Server, Podcasting Producer, and various third party solutions among others.

This 90 minute seminar aims to illustrate such solutions, look at some of the challenges in the classroom, and the challenge this brings in teacher training. The presenters have both worked as educators as well as university technologists.

It’s all about using the most appropriate technology to engage students. — via Apple Education Seminars & Events