Richard Nantel

Between November 12 and November 26, One Laptop per Child is offering a Give One Get One program in the United States and Canada. Buy two laptops, and one will be sent to a child in a developing country. You get the other for a child in your life.

This is a revolutionary machine. Here’s a demo.

Canada AM this morning had an interview with Oxford’s Dr. Alexandra Richardson about the positive effects of omega 3 fatty acids on children experiencing learning difficulties in school. In a recent double blind study, children given a half gram of omega 3 supplements showed significant improvements in reading, writing, concentration, and behavior compared to children who received a placebo.

According to Dr. Richardson, omega 3 fatty acids are “essential brain nutrients.” These fatty acids also benefit the circulatory system and our vision, and they ward off depression. Unfortunately, hydrogenation in processed food has severely reduced the amount of omega 3 we consume. So, unless you live next to a fishmonger or sushi bar, supplements are probably a good idea.

The interview is available here.

Statistics Canada reported this week that:

“Just over one-quarter (26 percent) of adult Canadians, an estimated 6.4 million people, logged on to the Internet for the purposes of education, training, or school work during 2005. Nearly 80 percent of all full- and part-time students did so. “

I love the last line of this report:

“While more definitive research on this matter is required, these findings suggest that the Internet is a valuable tool with the potential to help overcome the barrier of distance when it comes to education. “

I get a sense that a Statistics Canada report on Hurricane Katrina would have included:

“While more definitive research on this matter is required, the apparent cause of the destruction was high winds and flooding.”