Lab+2

__**Tutorial #2 Wiki Question:**__
 * Choose a country on the map 'Design for the Other 90%' at[| **http://other90.cooperhewitt.org/**] and read through the description of the products designed for each country.**

Chosen country: **Thailand**


 * 1. Which product interests you the most, and why? (200 words)**

The product that interests me the most would be the **One Laptop Per Child** program. These laptops are fairly cheap ($100) and can be used as an educational tool to bring learning, information, and communication to children in developing countries. Governments can purchase the laptops directly and distribute them to their schools. I personally think that the OLPC is wonderful because I am particularly interested in topics regarding narrowing the digital gap in developing countries. I agree with many others that the biggest problem many developing countries (Thailand in this case) face would probably be lack of knowledge. Computers are a great way to transfer knowledge and they make it so much easier and faster. After doing some further research on the OLPC laptops I have found that the laptops include some great functions. It has a built-in webcam which kids who are away at school can use to communicate with their parents. The laptops also run on a special network connection that’s different from the ones we use here. How the network works is that if one of the laptop gets online, the rest of them can also be connected. Users of these laptops can program their own softwares and share them with other computers using the special network connection.


 * 2. Which category would interest you to research further for your group project, and why? (100 words)**

The category that would interest me the most to research further for my group project would be the **education** sector. This is because I think that education is arguably the most important aspect of a society. Without the right education, it would be very hard to improve other areas such as crime, government, economic policy, fair trade, ecology, etc… I think it’s a pity that many developing countries may not put education on their top priority, and they should realize that in order for them to improve in the future, it’s very necessary for them to invest in the next generation. Therefore, I would like to further research on what others are doing in terms of improving the educational system.