Contributors program/April 15, 2011
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[ AGENDA ] * Preview Germany, Austria and Switzerland explaining their amazing community-building work Monday April 18, at 3PM Boston Time: http://wiki.laptop.org/go/OlpcMAP * XO-1.5 production machines available: http://blog.laptop.org/2010/02/25/xo-1-5-early-production-laptops-free-to-contributors-worldwide/ * New projects & libraries -- teaching them Community Outreach: http://wiki.laptop.org/go/XO_Laptop_Lending_Libraries * Which projects might you enjoy Mentoring below?! http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Projects http://rt.laptop.org/Search/Results.html?Query=Queue=%27contributors%27 * Fast Review of the 8 latest (greatest!) HW/Project Proposals -- please join us advocating for, and/or reviewing shortcomings of these proposals: #1 ICT In-service Training & EDUCARE - Cameroon #2 Kopila Valley School Computer Lab - Surkhet, Nepal & Tiburon, California #3 Cleveland School Intersession - Santa Barbara, California #4 Village Ventures - Mali & Malaga, Spain #5 OLPC Bhagmalpur - Haryana, India #6 FAMLI/Audubon MS Project Update - Los Angeles, California #7 Canada Reading Literacy / Sugar Software - Toronto #8 Super Robot Wars / Robogames - NYC, New York [ PREGAME SHOW ] <ndoiron> | * Green-Violet-80 Quit (Quit: CGI:IRC (Ping timeout)) * Cerise-Orange-39 Quit (Quit: CGI:IRC (EOF)) * Green-Violet-80 has joined #olpc-meeting * Green-Violet-80 Quit (Quit: CGI:IRC) * FranXOphonie Quit (Ping timeout: 276 seconds) * GrannieB has joined #olpc-meeting <CanoeBerry> GrannieB: what a nightmare I finally made, you still there? * abek has joined #olpc-meeting <GrannieB> yes <CanoeBerry> Thanks. Let's jump in w/ Project #1 here -- all are welcome to vote: <GrannieB> I am doing about 4-5 downloads at this time. everything is slowed dowm <CanoeBerry> But first, here is the agenda for all to review the 8 projects we need to vote on fast: <CanoeBerry> http://lists.laptop.org/pipermail/grassroots/2011-April/001752.html <CanoeBerry> OK. * sverma has joined #olpc-meeting <GrannieB> Hi Sameer! <CanoeBerry> Finally. [ PROJECT #1 - ICT In-service Training & EDUCARE - Cameroon ] <CanoeBerry> Let's critique Project #1 now: <CanoeBerry> ICT In-service Training & EDUCARE - Cameroon <CanoeBerry> http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=78644 <CanoeBerry> www.techcefacos.org <CanoeBerry> SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF http://olpcMAP.net & <CanoeBerry> http://j.mp/6UhCtd <CanoeBerry> Requests 20 XOs over 9 months <CanoeBerry> Project Objectives: (excerpt) <CanoeBerry> This training programme and its supportive initiatives descript as <CanoeBerry> ‘EDUCARE’ is aim at enhancing human resource development and <CanoeBerry> capacity building; as well as the exploitation of best ICT <CanoeBerry> Resource base tools and approach to promote the teaching/learning <CanoeBerry> of ICT in the Basic Education sector Cameroon. <CanoeBerry> So, this training programme is to supportive EDUCARE initiative <CanoeBerry> like e-kids computing project is an holistic ICT approach for <CanoeBerry> enabling children between the ages of 4 and 14 to become <CanoeBerry> digitally inclusive in their learning, creative and social <CanoeBerry> interaction process as the only great channel of this <CanoeBerry> 'information age' leading them to a brighter future-Despite the <CanoeBerry> many educational, psychological, positive or negative objective(s), <CanoeBerry> of children’s use of computer TechCeFaCos NGO, answers the question <CanoeBerry> of what exactly children will do with it… Be good users of computer <CanoeBerry> systems; learn how to creatively interact with the machine as an <CanoeBerry> information tool etc with core objectives base on the following: <CanoeBerry> To meet TechCeFaCos' mission of promoting creativity and <CanoeBerry> technological empowerment, that coincides with recent government <CanoeBerry> educational reforms such as the introduction of 'National Cultural' <CanoeBerry> and 'ICT Studies' into the national syllabuses for English speaking <CanoeBerry> primary schools in Cameroon... <GrannieB> I don't see any justification for XOs or Sugar other than they are free! <sverma> hey <CanoeBerry> I vote for a 2-laptop starter kit.. <sverma> sitting in a serious meeting <CanoeBerry> how's life sameer? <CanoeBerry> :) <sverma> Graduate Curriculum Committee...moonlighting on IRC :-) <sverma> I thought this was going to be Apr 22... <GrannieB> starter kit which they have to send back if they don't come up with something better <GrannieB> Sameer... Love it! <CanoeBerry> So do we go with 2 units? <CanoeBerry> Objections? <sverma> +1 <GrannieB> are they on the map? Do they have a blog? <GrannieB> anybody there? <CanoeBerry> APPROVED.. once they put themselves on the map..blog later if they want a chance at 10. [ PROJECT #2 - Kopila Valley School Computer Lab - Surkhet, Nepal & Tiburon, California ] <CanoeBerry> Onto Project #2 -- plz all help critique/mentor/vote for: <GrannieB> Do they already have XOs from ebay? not clear <CanoeBerry> 3 so far.. <sverma> commendable sentiment, but contribution not clear <CanoeBerry> Kopila Valley School Computer Lab - Surkhet, Nepal & Tiburon, California <CanoeBerry> http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=78789 <CanoeBerry> http://blinknow.org <CanoeBerry> SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF http://olpcMAP.net & <CanoeBerry> http://j.mp/6UhCtd <CanoeBerry> Requests 5 XOs over undetermined months <CanoeBerry> Project Objectives: <CanoeBerry> We are father and son; giving back to the third world at an early age <CanoeBerry> can have a long term positive effect. We will prepare the eBay <CanoeBerry> computers together, and sowill also be able to teach the local <CanoeBerry> Nepalese teachers how to use them. <CanoeBerry> Once in Nepal, we will be visiting an elementary and middle school in a <CanoeBerry> remote district with 250 students (Kopila Valley School). We will <CanoeBerry> instruct <CanoeBerry> the local teachers (who don’t have experience with computers) on how <CanoeBerry> to use <CanoeBerry> the OLPCs so that they can teach their students and develop learning <CanoeBerry> projects around the computers. <CanoeBerry> If this is successful, we plan to purchase additional OLPCs and either <CanoeBerry> transport them ourselves, have them transported, or ship them to the <CanoeBerry> school, <CanoeBerry> to increase the school’s inventory. <CanoeBerry> We assume that a medium-term build-out will be approximately 25 <CanoeBerry> computers <CanoeBerry> for this school. With further interest from other donors, there is the <CanoeBerry> potential for this to expand to one laptop for each student. <CanoeBerry> There may be opportunities to broaden the project to other area schools, <CanoeBerry> which will lever the knowledge we gain with the implementation at Kopila <CanoeBerry> Valley School. * ndoiron Quit (Quit: CGI:IRC) <sverma> how will this interface with ole nepal, if at all? <CanoeBerry> sverma: they met in Boston here <CanoeBerry> Rabi's (Executive Director of olenepal.org) says go for it.. <sverma> ok <sverma> ok <sverma> +1 <GrannieB> +1 <CanoeBerry> +1 <CanoeBerry> APPROVED [ PROJECT #3 - Cleveland School Intersession - Santa Barbara, California ] <CanoeBerry> Onto Project #3 -- plz all critique/mentor/vote for: <CanoeBerry> Cleveland School Intersession - Santa Barbara, California <CanoeBerry> http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=78790 <CanoeBerry> http://phillandfriedolpc.wordpress.com <CanoeBerry> http://olpcMAP.net?id=874003 <CanoeBerry> http://mcsclasses.org <CanoeBerry> SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF http://olpcMAP.net & <CanoeBerry> http://j.mp/6UhCtd <CanoeBerry> Requests 5-30 XOs over 12 months <CanoeBerry> Project Objectives: <CanoeBerry> Introduce laptops to Hispanic students with limited access to computers. <CanoeBerry> Test the use of laptop activities effect on California standards <CanoeBerry> test scores. <CanoeBerry> Cleveland is on a year round schedule. Will research web sites with <CanoeBerry> interactive games and activities that reinforce specific standards. <CanoeBerry> Will write a curriculum and basic use guide. Will demo XO computer to <CanoeBerry> a classroom teacher. Teacher will introduce the use of the XO during <CanoeBerry> the summer session starting in July, 2011. I will support the teacher <CanoeBerry> in implementing the program. We will evaluate score before and after <CanoeBerry> using the laptops for 1 year. * Improv has joined #olpc-meeting <CanoeBerry> GrannieB: shall we support this, and with how many XOs? <CanoeBerry> 30 is way too high :) <CanoeBerry> 5 or 10 even, at this point seem a bit premature.. <CanoeBerry> Thoughts are talking with him by phone etc? <GrannieB> I have talked with him and emailed etc <sverma> not sure if impact can be assessed with test scores <GrannieB> he needs a lot of help <CanoeBerry> GrannieB: should we go with 5? <CanoeBerry> Or 2 for now, starter kit? <sverma> starter kit <GrannieB> possibly UCSB folks can help him <CanoeBerry> Motion, motion, motion :) <CanoeBerry> Starter kit, ok? <CanoeBerry> Motion to ship 2 XO-1s in a starter kit for now. <CanoeBerry> Objections? <GrannieB> He has borrowed an XO from someone <CanoeBerry> He's full of enthusiasm, that's for sure. <GrannieB> lots of problems updating and getting ti to work <GrannieB> correct! <CanoeBerry> Indeed, but perhaps he'll take charge and become more independent soon. <GrannieB> +1 for starter kit. <CanoeBerry> Motion that I ship him a starter kit of 2 XO-1s. <CanoeBerry> Calling once.. <GrannieB> He needs to know that there are rules about studying effects on test scores <CanoeBerry> Calling twice.. <CanoeBerry> Calling thrice.. <CanoeBerry> APPROVED. [ PROJECT #4 - Village Ventures - Mali & Malaga, Spain ] <CanoeBerry> Onto Project #4 - plz all critique/mentor/vote for: <GrannieB> just finding ways to use Sugar in curriculum standards is good <CanoeBerry> Village Ventures - Mali & Malaga, Spain <CanoeBerry> http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=78963 <CanoeBerry> http://villageventures.blogspot.com <CanoeBerry> SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF http://olpcMAP.net & <CanoeBerry> http://j.mp/6UhCtd <CanoeBerry> Requests 10 XOs over 12 months <CanoeBerry> Project Objectives: <CanoeBerry> We need every school in our area to have sufficient computers so that <CanoeBerry> each student can have the opportunity to learn IT skills and world <CanoeBerry> knowledge as well as having the opportunity to understand internet and <CanoeBerry> link into other international schools.We have other schools in Spain and <CanoeBerry> England waiting for our schools in Mali to be able to communicate with <CanoeBerry> one another in French and via this medium set up a link to have a <CanoeBerry> international school exchange program.This way our African children can <CanoeBerry> gain more skills and understanding of different cultures and visa versa. <CanoeBerry> Already each of our school have one laptop as we have no <CanoeBerry> electricity, to <CanoeBerry> have desktop computers. As our schools develop skills and pay for <CanoeBerry> internet connection we are buying solar panels so that the laptops can <CanoeBerry> be continually charged, obviously this is not ideal, hence the reason <CanoeBerry> for contacting or connecting with your organization. <CanoeBerry> +1 after talking to this passionate woman in Spain who just spent 11 years in Mali <CanoeBerry> Not sure whether to start her with 2 of 10 units, thought everyone? <Improv> Does the proposal have a clear focus? <CanoeBerry> She'll be back in Mali later this spring. <GrannieB> 10 is a lot. they have serious infrastructure problems <CanoeBerry> Improv: needs one.. care to mentor? <GrannieB> how about a starter kit? <Improv> CanoeBerry: I am not sure I'm the right person to mentor; I'm rather green myself <CanoeBerry> OK <Improv> I worry about that "learning IT skills" thing using OLPCs <Improv> and I'm not sure what the laptops are going to be used for. <GrannieB> they need to make sure the XO will work in their situation <sverma> starter kit is 2 XOs, right? <CanoeBerry> yep <Improv> OTOH, it seems worthwhile to put systems in the hands of students who have not experienced the internet much yet. <Improv> I wish the proposal were more clear. * sverma Quit (Quit: CGI:IRC) * sverma has joined #olpc-meeting <CanoeBerry> In any case +1 <CanoeBerry> I'll talk more with the applicant to see when she leaves back to Mali. <CanoeBerry> I don't want to waste my time shipping to her twice in the coming month. <GrannieB> starter kit +1 to test and make sure they will work with all their infrastructure problems <CanoeBerry> Perhaps 5 units might be a good compromise, if she's truly committed to Sugar and a plan that will help all. <CanoeBerry> So far however her blog needs a LOT of work :) <Improv> It does seem, given the power requirements, that OLPCs might be a particularly good choice. <CanoeBerry> Motion for 2-to-5 units.. <sverma> +1 on starter kit <CanoeBerry> And this applicant is a force to be reckoned with.. amazing woman who we need in our community. <CanoeBerry> Calling once.. <CanoeBerry> Calling twice.. <CanoeBerry> Calling thrice.. <CanoeBerry> Approved for starter kit of 2-5 XOs, pending mentor(s) final decision. [ PROJECT #5 - OLPC Bhagmalpur - Haryana, India ] <CanoeBerry> Onto Project #5 - please all critique/mentor/vote for: <CanoeBerry> OLPC Bhagmalpur - Haryana, India <CanoeBerry> http://olpcmap.net/?id=799001 <CanoeBerry> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/OLPC_India/Bhagmalpur <CanoeBerry> http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=79156 <CanoeBerry> SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF http://olpcMAP.net & <CanoeBerry> http://j.mp/6UhCtd <CanoeBerry> Requests 30 XOs over 24 months <CanoeBerry> Project Objectives: (excerpts) <CanoeBerry> This project aims to use an alternative distribution model of granting <CanoeBerry> the XO to a child in each household in the village. The child must be <CanoeBerry> approx 5 to 14 years of age. This model is similar to the Grameen Bank <CanoeBerry> model, where a cell phone is given to the woman of the house, who then <CanoeBerry> leases the services out as part of a microfinance scheme. In our <CanoeBerry> project, the XO will be “wielded” by the youngest child of school <CanoeBerry> going age (highest expected ROI on learning) but there is no <CanoeBerry> microfinance scheme attached. This approach has raised some interest <CanoeBerry> in key OLPCers, such as Barbara Barry and Mary Lou Jepsen (it was Mary <CanoeBerry> Lou’s observation at OLPC SF Community Summit, that this model shares <CanoeBerry> much in common with Grameen’s model). <CanoeBerry> We (Verma family) are financing all incidental expenses, including <CanoeBerry> power, Internet access, school server, book server, and any training <CanoeBerry> that may be needed by providing space at our home in Bhagmalpur. One <CanoeBerry> of the rooms in the front of the house will be used as a learning <CanoeBerry> space of sorts to support charging, trouble shooting and a quiet place <CanoeBerry> away from other environs so that the children can sit alone or in <CanoeBerry> groups and explore. <CanoeBerry> 1. Collect all XOs in Bhagmalpur <CanoeBerry> 2. Install School Server (June 2011) <CanoeBerry> 3. Disburse XOs (June 2011) <CanoeBerry> 4. Gather feedback (August 2011). This data will be gathered based <CanoeBerry> on the monitoring and evaluation model of http://olpcjamaica.org.jm <CanoeBerry> 5. Hindi Wikipedia (August 2011) <CanoeBerry> 6. Voice over IP (January 2012) <CanoeBerry> sverma: care to introduce? <CanoeBerry> your family's work? <GrannieB> Nice project! Can I get 30 to do one of these in Bolivia? <sverma> :-) <sverma> Sure. The project is been in the making for a while * diamond_gr has joined #olpc-meeting <sverma> right now I have "muled" across two XOs to this location <sverma> We are on olpcmap <CanoeBerry> If there is an active blog, I'd be happy to ship 10. <sverma> Just signed up on wordpress to run a blog <sverma> so far its just been on wiki.laptop.org <sverma> we'll take whatever you give us :-0 <sverma> :-) <CanoeBerry> Blog can be anywhere, thanks! 10 XO-1s are yours if you blog regularly -- monthly or more often. <sverma> I'm particularly thrilled to have Arjun's help in running this. <sverma> indeed <sverma> blogging promised <CanoeBerry> Sorry I can't ship more than 10 at this time. <sverma> we'll take broken pieces as well for parts... <sverma> works for me <sverma> thx <CanoeBerry> Can the OLPC India community arrive on voluntourist bus tours like in Uruguay ;) <GrannieB> +1 happy! <sverma> we'll also showcase the project under olpcsf.org <sverma> fancy you should ask...I'm working on a short tour possibility <sverma> Summer, maybe? will keep the community posted <GrannieB> How many FF-miles to get to India? <sverma> dunno...tickets can be $800 if you get lucky, or $1200 from SFO usually <sverma> We have a huge house in Bhagmalpur. 32 rooms :-) space won't be a problem <CanoeBerry> +1,200,000,000 <CanoeBerry> Or whatever India's population.. <CanoeBerry> Shall we? <GrannieB> 40,000 gets you to South America. I have over 80,000 more. But not in the summer! too hot! <CanoeBerry> Questions/critiques from the group? <CanoeBerry> Supporting suggestions? <CanoeBerry> Objections? <sverma> GrannieB: Summer is when you get to enjoy Mango Lassi <CanoeBerry> sverma: can i ship these 10 XO-1s shipped direct to India now? <CanoeBerry> Calling once.. <CanoeBerry> Calling twice.. <CanoeBerry> Calling thrice.. <sverma> yes, you can ship now <CanoeBerry> APPROVED for 10 XO-1s if blogging regular and active blog linked from http://olpcmap.net/?id=799001 <sverma> woohoo!!! <GrannieB> applause!!! <CanoeBerry> I'll lick the stamp myself :) [ PROJECT #6 - FAMLI/Audubon MS Project Update - Los Angeles, California ] <CanoeBerry> Onto Project #6 - plz all critique/mentor/vote for: <CanoeBerry> FAMLI/Audubon MS Project Update - Los Angeles, California <CanoeBerry> http://famliolpcsocalaudubonms.wordpress.com <CanoeBerry> http://rt.laptop.org/Ticket/Display.html?id=79244 <CanoeBerry> SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF http://olpcMAP.net & <CanoeBerry> http://j.mp/6UhCtd <CanoeBerry> Requests 5 Broken XOs for 14 months <CanoeBerry> Project Objectives: <CanoeBerry> Students and volunteers will use the repair guide on the olpc wiki to <CanoeBerry> learn to make simple repairs on the XO computers. See blog: <CanoeBerry> http://famliolpcsocalaudubonms.wordpress.com <CanoeBerry> GrannieB: care to present your city's work? <GrannieB> I have inherited this project after mentoring for 2 years <CanoeBerry> I have 4 broken XOs in Dallas -- will that be sufficient if you are approved here? <CanoeBerry> All I've got. <GrannieB> The person who started it has dissappeared (literally) <GrannieB> We will take whatever we can get <GrannieB> I found 3 very enthusiastic, talented volunteers to work with the kids <Improv> This sounds like a good confluence of project needs and otherwise not-super-useful systems. <GrannieB> they y are very excited about everything <CanoeBerry> Tell us more..we may be able to ship more as OLPC cleans up 1CC to move out by June 1. <sverma> Its incredible what you do, GrannieB +1 <CanoeBerry> (OLPC Foundation is moving to a new office around Cambridge here by June 1) <GrannieB> The kids have made amazing progress with the XOs and Sugar w/o any adult help <CanoeBerry> +1 <CanoeBerry> Questions / objections from the peanut gallery? <GrannieB> Check out Abe' s post on our new blog <CanoeBerry> Calling once.. <CanoeBerry> Calling twice.. <CanoeBerry> Calling thrice.. <GrannieB> +100! <CanoeBerry> APPROVED if Caryl dances for all of us on her blog. <GrannieB> will Tango do? <GrannieB> Or tap? <CanoeBerry> Both! <sverma> Awesome!!! [ PROJECT #7 - Canada Reading Literacy / Sugar Software - Toronto ] <CanoeBerry> OK, onto Project #7 - please all critique/mentor/vote for: <GrannieB> How about the students dance...that is part of their program <CanoeBerry> Better yet -- dance with 'em til dawn. <CanoeBerry> OK, Project #7 here: <CanoeBerry> Canada Reading Literacy <CanoeBerry> SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF http://olpcMAP.net & <CanoeBerry> http://j.mp/6UhCtd <CanoeBerry> Requests 1 XO-1 for undetermind months <CanoeBerry> Project Objectives: <CanoeBerry> Details to follow from Walter Bender. <CanoeBerry> PRE-APPROVED -- shipping today to Toronto. <CanoeBerry> Have asked them to post to olpcMAP.net and join our GREAT Canadian community here: http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/toronto-dev [ PROJECT #8 - Super Robot Wars / Robogames - NYC, New York ] <CanoeBerry> Onto Project #8 - please all critique/mentor/vote for: <GrannieB> Will we be meeting again on the 22nd? I have another proposal to submit for LA <CanoeBerry> Robogames - NYC, New York <CanoeBerry> SPECIFIC SITE NEEDS TO BE POSTED OFF http://olpcMAP.net & <CanoeBerry> http://j.mp/6UhCtd <CanoeBerry> Requests 2 XO-1s for undetermined months <CanoeBerry> Project Objectives: <CanoeBerry> Details to follow from Walter Bender <CanoeBerry> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Robot_Wars <CanoeBerry> PRE-APPROVED -- shipping to NYC next week. Every ask Walter Bender for more details soon! * abek Quit (Quit: CGI:IRC) <CanoeBerry> http://wiki.sugarlabs.org/go/User:Walter [ CLOSING REMARKS ] <GrannieB> We want an olpc-SoCal library. Working out housing details at the moment <CanoeBerry> GrannieB: a meeting next week (Apr 22) is unlikely. I like to wait until we have a solid 5-10 projects all together before calling a meeting. <GrannieB> UCSB may want to do it, but they are not very centrally located <GrannieB> OK <GrannieB> Guess I will have to work on it from afar <sverma> i have to run...my meeting here just ended. <CanoeBerry> THANKS EVERYONE FOR A GREAT QUICK MEETING TODAY! See you Monday 3PM Boston Time to learn about the quite astonishing work done by OLPC Austria, OLPC Germany and OLPC Switzerland over the past 3-4 years: http://wiki.laptop.org/go/OlpcMAP <CanoeBerry> ADJOURNED! <sverma> will catch up soon with updates <CanoeBerry> BYE! Great weekend to everyone! <GrannieB> bye! * sverma Quit (Quit: CGI:IRC (Ping timeout)) <Improv> Hey sj :)