This article for One Laptop Per Child shows that the system really works. One Laptop per Child adopts the idea that a child with access to a single computer is the most efficient way to “enhance the pupil’s ability to learn effectively. This is called 1:1 computing.

According to some statistical studies published in the Journal of Technology, Learning and Assessment, students are bound to be more successful while participating in this program than in those in the tradition classroom setting. One study said “Students who have participated in 1:1 computing report higher achievement and increased engagement. This new collection of articles brings together some of the best evidence to date on the implemation and impacts of 1:1 computing…students in the 1:1 settings outperformed their traditional classroom peers on English/Language Arts standardized tests by a statistically significant margin. Study authors also reported on evidence of increased student motivation and engagement, as well as changes in teachers’ instructional practices.

These statistics could prove that once and for all providing a laptop per child could help in their overall education. This is a breakthrough in OLPC’s works, which up until this point had very little evidence of effectiveness. Through the 1:1 program students are not only gaining a higher education, but they are enjoying it as well. Therefore the 1:1 program could encourage more kids to get excited about learning.

These reports also say that the teachers play an integral role in OLPC’s efforts. The 1:1 program showed that some main factors that applied to the students success in 1:1 were having a strong commitment from their school leadership, developing consistent nd supportive administration policies, and creating professional development opportunities for teachers.” Therefore OLPC gives teachers the opportunity to better their technological stills to better fit with their lesson plans.

OLPC believes their efforts could further close the gap of the digital divide. With students finding more opportunities in the 1:1 program as well as having the enthusiasm to use it, the ratio of technology per person is only going to increase. Much like what have been learning in class, the digital divide’s gap will further close by providing the education and access of computers to those who can use them for their everyday life.