infoDev and UNESCO have teamed up to sponsor a series of monthly on-line discussions on low-cost ICT initiatives for educational systems in developing countries. The debate for June is titled Mobile Phones: Better Learning Tools than Computers?
To help get things started, Dr. Robert Kozma has staked out a position that "Computers are More Capable than Mobile Phones", while I counter that "Phones Are a Real Alternative to Computers". Moderating the discussion is Wayan Vota, the creator of the independent OLPCnews.com site.
You are welcome to join what we hope will be a lively discussion on the EduTechDebate.org site. No doubt some commenters will feel that this debate is built on a false premise, as it starts with a discussion of technologies, and not educational goals and objectives. Others may say that there is room for both PCs and computers in discussions of educational technology. Fair enough -- please feel free to add your voice to the debate!
You may also be interested in a similar debate between Iqbal Qadir, the founder of Grameenphone, and Nicholas Negroponte, the founder of One Laptop per Child, that was sponsored by GOOD Magazine back in December 2008, which they called Communication Breakdown.
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