Recent IADB Initiatives Related to One-to-One Computing

One-to-One Computing Models for Children in Latin America and the Caribbean

 Over the last years, technological, economic, and social changes have placed pressure on education systems to introduce and incorporate information and communication technologies (ICT). The acceleration of these trends has given a growing importance to 1-to-1 computing in education, that is, modalities in which each child is given a digital mobile tool. Learning systems should take advantage of these new opportunities and the potential technology holds for allowing a more fluid communication between individuals, improved learning and collaborative work to take place in networks.

These web pages of the Sustainable Development Department of the IDB seek to centralize specialized information on skill and knowledge development related to 1:1 and ubiquitous computing models that are relevant to education in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

            In 2006, the IDB undertook a series of initiatives to examine and encourage the use of these tools and models for education. An in-house analysis of the potential and feasibility of one-to-one initiatives in the region was prepared by Juan Carlos Navarro, Chief of the Education Unit. The IDB signed several memoranda of understanding with private sector entities, including INTEL, Microsoft and the One Laptop Per Child Initiative, all of which have demonstrated a strong commitment to increase the use of ICT in education. In November 2006, the IDB reaffirmed its intention to play a leading role in this field. It organized a seminar focused on one-to-one computing during which the region's vice ministers of education had the opportunity to obtain and share relevant information for decision making on the use of ICT in education, particularly the use of laptops and other innovative models adapted to their diverse national contexts. On March 16, 2007 during the Inter-American Development Banks (IDB) Annual Governors Assembly in Guatemala, the IDB, Microsoft Corporation and Intel Corporation launched a new initiative to drive innovative education and one-to-one learning in Latin America. The collaboration will accelerate the use of trials of one-to-one computing by studying and implementing the best solutions to enhance the educational experience.

            The following sections include  links to some of the most germane sources of information on one-to-one computing models, their implementation, relevant research, public information and opinion pieces from Latin America and the Caribbean and other parts of the world.      

            Comments and suggestions can be sent to: SDS/EDU @iadb.org 

Last updated: 06/27/07

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