Technology Can Solve Some of Education's Problems

By Margee Ensign, University of the Pacific/Recordnet.com (OPINION)

8/8/09

The school of 600 students has dirt floors. There is no electricity, running water or bathrooms. The student's uniforms are old and torn. Lunch comes from the banana trees and vegetables that are grown on the school property.

The teachers use small pieces of chalk to write their lessons on handmade blackboards. Despite the severe poverty, the children are happy and trying hard to learn.

I was visiting a primary school outside of Kisumu, Kenya, two weeks ago to check on the status of 18 orphans who are supported by Pacific students, donors, family members and friends. As I was leaving the school, I happened to glance down at my i-phone (something I do far too often) and discovered that my wireless was working. In the midst of this severe poverty, surrounded by students who will be lucky to learn to read and write, the world's knowledge was at my fingertips.

Technology Can Solve Some of Education's Problems

By Margee Ensign, University of the Pacific/Recordnet.com (OPINION)

8/8/09

The school of 600 students has dirt floors. There is no electricity, running water or bathrooms. The student's uniforms are old and torn. Lunch comes from the banana trees and vegetables that are grown on the school property.

The teachers use small pieces of chalk to write their lessons on handmade blackboards. Despite the severe poverty, the children are happy and trying hard to learn.

I was visiting a primary school outside of Kisumu, Kenya, two weeks ago to check on the status of 18 orphans who are supported by Pacific students, donors, family members and friends. As I was leaving the school, I happened to glance down at my i-phone (something I do far too often) and discovered that my wireless was working. In the midst of this severe poverty, surrounded by students who will be lucky to learn to read and write, the world's knowledge was at my fingertips.