Session+1+feedback

At the end of Session 1, participating students were asked what they enjoyed about the program and what they thought could be improved or added for next time. Here are some of their thoughts:

Greenland students

 * would like more variety of educational games
 * enjoyed the "Maze" game (spacial reasoning)
 * enjoyed the "Memory", "Maze", and "Implode" games
 * surprised at how easy it was to figure out a new operating system and at how functional the XO system is
 * would like to use updated hardware
 * simple interface
 * appreciated the opportunity to learn from older students rather than teachers
 * would like to connect with other students using the XO systems (possibly internationally)
 * need wireless internet access to get the XOs online

Facilitator

 * consider fundraising options
 * surprised that GPS participants did not have email accounts.

Areas of focus for Session 2
Establishment of a wireless network in the GPS library would greatly improve the program. The school board's IT security policies expressly forbid a private network from being established, and there is a significant cost involved with establishing a board network. Although DMCI has a rudimentary, limited-access wireless network, it is impractical for GPS students to travel there. The best compromise at the moment seems to be arranging a "field trip" to DMCI at the end of Session 2 in order to introduce GPS participants to the online capabilities of the XOs. Perhaps DMCI students could set up gmail accounts and show them how to navigate gmail, google calendar, and googledocs during Session 2 as a culminating activity?
 * 1. Get the XOs online**

Although attempts were made to connect to other users internationally, many requests received no reply. Only one pair of students actually managed to connect with an international OLPC team, and they did not manage to establish a productive partnership. Further attempts to engage with international users should be made at the beginning of Session 2, and a "penpal"-style email correspondence could be established, which would operate on a weekly basis.
 * 2. Connect to the international community**


 * 3. Raise funds**
 * daily rentals of XO systems to DMCI students ($5/day). If we can rent 6 of the XOs one day per week for the duration of Session 2 (4 weeks), we would raise $120, which could be used for refreshements and/or supplemenatary equipment (e.g., wireless mouse, USB keys)