Social effects

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Intellectual development of pupils

Irrespective of specific content and software a laptop appears to be likely to promote the intellectual development of pupils but what negative effects are conceivable?

games

Interesting games can create a strong motivation to prefer games over learning. This is especially true for pupils without sufficient education (media literacy) or guidance to select appropriate content or software. The problem could be addressed with mentoring, which would promote the required media literacy twice: For the pupil as a protégé and later for the pupil as a mentor.

Intellectual gap between pupils and adults

The sudden increase in intellectual development can create a gap with potential for conflict between pupils and adults. The problem could be addressed with adult education and especially parent education. Parent education for mentors could create a connection between adult education and the education of pupils, which seems likely to facilitate mutual understanding and tolerance.

Pupils overqualified for the regional labor markets of developing countries

Pupils who have made good use of the potential for education of the OLPC are likely to be highly qualified and may be overqualified for the regional labor market. A logical consequence could be the goal to encourage pupils to be creative and to develop initiative to create new opportunities. Economic simulations and virtual student companies can help pupils to learn the required skills early. Access to further knowledge (e.g. Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems) may also be useful.