Hardware

Abstract

We discussed in Chapter 3 the reasons for deciding on software first, but pointed out that hardware decisions must then follow. When policy-makers in a developing country identify a particular make or model of computer as the educational standard for that country, ostensibly they make their choice from essentially the same range as is available in industrialised countries. It would be naive to assume, however, that the selection of a particular make of computer is always the result of a considered comparison among all those available. Choices of computers for schools in developing countries are likely to be influenced, for example, by software availability, the wishes of donor agencies, established practice in universities and business institutions, pressure from manufacturers and, not infrequently, the nationality of the machines being considered. This chapter aims at answering three important questions related to such choices:

• What issues do policy-makers have to face up to?

• What does current technology have to say about these issues?

• What hardware packages are there on offer to education?