Re: [school-discuss] Free Seminar on Open Source Software in K-12 Schools - Looking for Venues (repost)

[aaron <aaron@xxxxxx>]

(Sorry for the repost - the first try got a little mangled)

On Monday 02 October 2006 20:19, Steve Hargadon wrote:
> On November 7th, from 7:00 - 8:30 pm, at the Plano ISD Sockwell Center
> (just outside of Dallas), I'll be speaking on the use of Free and Open
> Source Software in K-12 schools.  This is free and open to the public.
>  Details are available at http://edtechlive.wikispaces.com/Workshops.
> 
> I will cover the use of Linux, Open Office, and many other programs
> that can be used by K-12 schools to decrease their software licensing
> costs, provide stable computing solutions, and introduce students to
> collaborative programming.  I run the Open Source labs for the CUE.org
> and NECC ed tech shows, am currently working on a book for ISTE on
> this topic, and have a weekly web radio show on educational technology
> at EdTechLive.com.
> 
> I'm looking for other school or district venues where you think this
> topic would be well-received, and to see if I might be able to
> demonstrate enough interest to find a sponsor for a more national
> tour.  Please let me know if you feel your local school community
> might be interested in this type of a presentation.
> 
> Thank you.
> --
> Steve Hargadon

While the advantages of face to face dialog make this a preferred means of 
delivering information, the related costs of flights, accommodations, per 
diem and such can be pretty intensive. In the case of your Open Source 
educational presentations, distributing the message through other means may 
be in order, especially given the nature of the content, the common 
limitations of educational budgets and the potential of reaching a much 
broader audience through electronic media delivery.

I would politely suggest that you could have the presentation video taped and 
edited together with your graphics media / computer slides for an effective 
yet inexpensive distribution on DVD.  If you can arrange for a competent 
volunteer with a mini DV camera and a Mac OS X box to do the work, the 
production cost for useful material could be minimal. Even if you needed to 
hire a professional for the prodcution work, the per unit delivery cost could 
still be very affordable, especially when compared to personal appearances.   

I have done this kind of media work frequently (for more years than I care to 
admit) and I have an intimate knowledge of both the requirements and the 
caveates. I would be more than happy to consult with you further by phone or 
off-list email. Depending on your design and distribution plans, I would also 
consider volunteering some pro-bono production editing work should you find 
the DVD video distribution idea attractive.

As additional explanation for my reply on this list and the volunteer offer, I 
can note that I'm an active Linux Evangelist of several years, presently 
serving as moderator for the main meeting of the Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts 
group, <ale.org>. I'm also an acquaintance of Daniel Howard and William 
Fragakis (hey guys!), and am currently assisting with some of the Atlanta 
Area LTSP K12 installations which their very successful efforts at Morris 
Brandon elementary have inspired.

peace
Aaron Ruscetta
Image Architects
Atlanta, GA
404.315-0406


> steve@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> 916-899-1400 direct
> www.SteveHargadon.com - (Blog on Educational Technology)
> www.K12OpenSource.com (Public Wiki)
> November 6 & 7, Plano, TX:  Two-day intensive Moodle Training with
> Michelle Moore
> November 6 & 7, Plano, TX:  Two one-day workshops on the use of blogs,
> wikis, and podcasting in the classroom with Andrew Pass
> 
>