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- Engineering ethics modules for
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E. one laptop per child
- Kenneth L. Kraemer, Jason Dedrick, and Prakul Sharma. "One Laptop Per Child: Vision versus Reality." Communications of the ACM. June 2009, Vol. 52, No. 6: 66-73
- This case explores the challenges of implementing a laptop computer designed as an educational tool for children in developing nations. Laptops are chosen because, in the minds of the designers, they can deliver the tools of education in one convenient package. They present and create modes of interacting with educational software; they provide a convenient way of storing and displaying reading material and promise to replace traditional printed media; they create an environment where students can learn writing working through word processing media. And the innovation of the XO laptop is that it has been designed for use by children in areas that lack infrastructure for other, traditional educational media.
- Values: (a) Distributive Justice. XO laptops, because they are cheap and linked with sponsorship by developed world institutions, promise to reduce the digital divide by giving children (and their families) in developing nations access to computers, the Internet, and all the information that the two can bring. (b) Realizing Capabilities. XO laptops can play the role of conversion factors transforming the following capabilities into functionings: Sense, imagination, and thought; Emotion; Practical Reason; Affiliation; Play
- Examples: (a) Fedora Linux Operating System; (b) WiFi access to Internet; (c) Hand cranks to recharge batteries. XO laptops are designed to operate in zones where there is no or insufficient electricity; (d) No drives. Relying on less sophisticated operating system software reduces the demand for storage capacity. (Given Internet access, many storage needs can be delegated to the Internet.) This further simplifies the system and makes it unnecessary to install a hard drive. (e) Designed for children. Hard, durable plastic casing and keyboards shaped for children’s hands
F. case for waste for life
- This case studies a press that produces building materials made from waste products and plant fibers.
- One chapter examines the integration of this technology into Lesotho.
- The other chapters look at the STS in Buenos Aires, Argentina and how it constrains the integration of similar technology there.
- This case study is available to UPRM students through the university's library. It is a part of the Morgan and Claypool series found in the section on electronic books.
- Complete Bibliographical Reference: C. Baillie, E. Feinblatt, T. Thamae, and E. Berrington. (2010).
Needs and Feasibility: A Guide for Engineers in Community Projects--The Case for Waste for Life . Morgan and Claypool.
G. aprovecho
- Aprovecho is a non-profit organization that specializes in stoves for developing nations.
- Respiratory disease from the pollution from stoves used indoors is a major cause of death for children under 5 years old in developing nations.
- Aprovecho is considering setting up a regional center for testing and distributing stoves in Puerto Rico.
- Are these stoves an appropriate technology for PR or even parts of PR?
- Be sure to listen to the NPR story on Aprovecho and the NPR series on Social Entrepreneurship
- Link given above: http://www.aprovecho.org/lab/index.php
Source:
OpenStax, Engineering ethics modules for ethics across the curriculum. OpenStax CNX. Oct 08, 2012 Download for free at http://legacy.cnx.org/content/col10552/1.3
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