Problems with One Laptop Per Child?

Greetings earthlings!

The debate about the globalization of the cultural industry continues as programs such as the One Laptop Per Child thrive to create educational opportunities for the world’s poorest children. Contenders on one side of this issue will argue that this American-made, non-profit organization has created a valuable open source experiment that has made this educational device an affordable commodity to marginalized children around the world. On the other side of the issue, some may argue that although millions of laptops have been distributed, these devices expose children from various developing countries to Western culture. For example, the laptops are wired to connect its user to the internet sources that don’t necessarily reflect comparable educational systems across the globe, but rather a fairly Western approach to learning.

Each laptop has been speculated to cost around $100 USD. The OLPC has stated that its mandate is to:
- Let the kids keep the laptops
- Focus on early education
- Ensure no one gets left out.
- Connection to the internet.
- Free to grow and adapt.

You can learn more about the OLPC program here:
http://www.laptop.org/en/vision/index.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Laptop_per_Child

With these facts in mind, which side do you think each delegation would be in favour of? Do you think this program is effective in terms of promoting education? Do you think money would be better invested elsewhere? How are programs like these effecting cultures across the globe?