View source for Learning/LearningTeamWorkshops/Cambridge/Week Of December 10 2007

'''Dr. John Katopodis''' - Said he'd like to get some fortification and get some analogies to effectively convey the message..

'''Prof. Calestous''' - Said that when discussing the laptop with executives in Africa, it is useful to mention the idea of leap-frogging telecommunications through cell phones and how this can relate to the laptop..  He also mentioned how powerful the idea of customizing textbooks can be.  He mentioned that in his home region near Lake Victoria in Kenya, the children are not interested in counting cows (as done in most textbooks based on region) but are interested in fish..  If teachers could customize the textbooks they would be more effective..

'''Ms. Gombodorj Enkhzul''' - Also interested in content creation..  Says that textbooks are outdated..  Talked about shortage of teachers.. Avg class size of 35-40 kids..

'''Prof. Calestous''' - Talked about shortage of teachers can be addressed with a national service attached to universities..

'''Dr. John Katopodis''' - mentioned his program Computer Help for Kids that has distributed 7000 refurbed computers..  Feels self esteem is important and is looking at affective benefits of ownership of laptop..