What We Do | olpc-canada

WHAT WE DO

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Community Spotlight Ochapowace First Nation, SK

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Education Technology for Aboriginal Youth

The XO Tablet: A full Android tablet, the XO tablet features a high-resolution screen and the latest Android operating system. The tablet is designed with a unique dream interface, wherein apps are organized according to a child’s interests and aspirations. Within each dream, there are many ways to develop competencies in related educational areas such as math, science and literacy. Each tablet can be used for up to 3 youth and 1 adult due to multiple user accounts. In Canada, the tablet is customized with an Aboriginal hero for each dream and comes preinstalled with Aboriginal books and language learning apps.

The XO Laptop Touch: A small machine with a big mission, the XO laptop is a potent learning tool designed and built especially for children living. It’s about the size of a small textbook features a durable touch-screen. The XO has built-in wireless networking capabilities for communication between machines and with a local School Server without internet dependence. It’s extremely durable, brilliantly functional, energy-efficient, and fun. For OLPC Canada deployments, the XO is provided with customized content for Aboriginal youth and specialized keyboards for Aboriginal languages.

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Professional Development for Educators

Support for educators is a central component of every OLPC Canada initiative. In order for technology to be utilized effectively within an educational environment, educators must be confident in the functionality and learning opportunities presented by the technological tool at hand. Educators receive training and resource materials before technology is distributed to students. On-going support is provided at a distance and through site visits.

“Laptops in the classroom help students to use their thoughts and ideas in different ways…Even though the machine is individual, there is growth as a group. Computers generate communication during group activities – the laptop gives them something in common and they teach each other.” - Cheryl Miller Martin, Grade 2 teacher, Whitefish River First Nation’s Shawanosowe School, quoted in Footprints, Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, Winter 2013.

Educator

Feedback

“The addition of One Laptop Per Child program helps provide a sense of normalcy to these children, who are coping with the trauma of entering a shelter….In addition, children are thrilled to have something they can call their own and are learning a variety of educational information relevant to their own culture.” - Kim Hickes, Executive director of the Thompson Crisis Centre (TCC) in Manitoba, quoted in Vale News, January 2014

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Community Engagement

OLPC Canada is committed to involving family members and community leaders at every step, from site selection to the program launch and events showcasing student achievement.

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Good News from Aboriginal Canada

OLPC Canada is dedicated to spreading good news about the achievements of Aboriginal youth and the contributions of individuals, groups and corporate sponsors who make this initiative possible.