Re: [school-discuss] [Fwd: articles about free software in schools]

[Jan Wilson <corocom@btl.net>]

* David Bucknell <david@members.iteachnet.org> [020320 22:12]:
> This definitely needs doing and I have also begun research for a piece called
> "Open Source Goes to School" (tentatively). I would also greatly appreciate
> hearing from those willing to a) name their schools as users of free/open
> sources and, if we're lucky b) describe what they're doing and even why.

At Corozal Junior College in Belize (we're about 10 miles south of the
border with the extreme southeast of Mexico) we are using Linux
(actually the Linux Terminal Server Project, LTSP) and OpenOffice.org 641C in
our computer applications classes.  We are finding this to be a very
useable substitute for MS Windows and MS Office.

We just completed a section on graphics, in which we used
OpenOffice.org Draw for vector graphics, and The Gimp for bitmap
graphics.  These worked fine.

Belize is one of those developing countries where our citizens have
taken for granted that while we have to pay what seems like about 4
times as much for computer hardware, you can get software for free.
Until about a year ago, there was not even a copyright law on the
books, and it is now just beginning to be enforced.

Historically, Belize was where the "Pirates of the Caribbean" used to
go to hide, so we know about piracy ... a good number of our citizens
descended from pirates  ;-)  and I am one who refuses to call the use
of unlicensed software PIRACY.  This is self-serving hype by the
software industry.  OTOH, using unlicensed software is illegal and
morally deficient.

Our schools can barely afford to pay for hardware, so it seems insane
to me to use Microsoft and other proprietary software if we can use
free (speech & beer, libre & gratis) software and still fulfill our
educational objectives.

A side benefit, which was somewhat of a surprise to me, is that by
using LTSP and OO.o our computer lab is MUCH easier to administer.
Software upgrades need to be done only on the server.  The increased
security of GNU/Linux-based systems means that students can make
changes to their OWN setups, but can't affect others.  If we want to
use some other kind of software in the classroom, chances are it came
with our Mandrake distibution or is freely downloadable ... we don't
have to wait until next year to budget the cost of licenses.

Viruses?  We don't have to buy licenses for virus checkers either.
;-)

So why aren't all schools using it?  Well, few schools have anyone who
knows anything about Linux.  We have begun workshops country-wide to
try to change that.  We have had several introductory workshops and
will be doing a professional one in about two weeks.  I am trying to
downplay the "free" idea ... instead I am telling people that we can
take part of what we save in hardware (LTSP) and software (GNU/Linux)
and apply it to training, which our IT teachers need very badly.
Ironically, much of what goes into a good workshop on Linux is stuff
they SHOULD know about networking, routing, security, etc., if they
are using MS products, but they don't!

Alas, people don't always make rational decisions, ESPECIALLY in
developing countries, so we'll have to wait and see if this movement
has a real impact throughout Belize.  At this stage, we are seeing a
lot of interest, and if someone like the Business Software Alliance
manages to pressure the Government of Belize into strict enforcement
of software licenses, our courses could become VERY popular overnight.

Sorry for the long post.  If anyone is interested in more details,
check out:

http://linux.bz

-- 
Jan Wilson, SysAdmin     _/*];          corocom@btl.net
Corozal Junior College   |  |:'  corozal.com corozal.bz
Corozal Town, Belize     |  /'  chetumal.com & linux.bz
Reg. Linux user #151611  |_/   Network, SQL, Perl, HTML