Hi Daniel,
The larger problem with any of this software use is the training aspect,
and the teaching materials (if any).
If they are being used in a teaching context, then a teacher will want
materials for assignments, etc. Having software without that will mean a
much slower adoption rate.
Thus software is in a symbiotic relationship with support materials and
documentation, teaching materials, etc.
That is another 'issue' that should be considered in any Linux based
solution...
Les Richardson
Open Admin for Schools
On Mon, 10 Sep 2007, Daniel Howard wrote:
Well, William and I met with the High School principal and his
assistant principal this morning, and also met several teachers (math,
physics, music, multimedia) and all of them are tremendously excited
about getting working Linux computers in their classrooms, and the
potential for lots of new Open Source software titles. The teachers
have already heard how successful the other Atlanta schools were, and
don't seem to care a whit that it will not be Windows based. They
just want working computers, and lots of 'em, and they've heard this
is good stuff.
We've asked them to send us ideas for what they'd like to use the
computers for in their classrooms, but at the same time, William and I
are guessing they have no idea what they could ask for, so we thought
we'd put together a system for them to play with with a bunch of high
school appropriate titles on it (like the math titles I listed below).
Can anyone suggest other high school appropriate applications for
math, science, yearbook publishing, web page development (actually I
think William has that one covered), control of MIDI keyboards and
music composition, audio mixing (they have a small studio), etc.
Thanks in advance,
Daniel
Daniel Howard wrote:
I'm meeting monday with an Atlanta High School principal that wants
to use Open Source applications in his school. He's familiar with
the K12LTSP program that Atlanta Public Schools rolled out to 7
schools last year (he was formerly the principal of a middle school
that was in the pilot) and APS apparently has 35 more elementary and
middle schools lined up for it. So he's a big fan of OSS now. But
high schools are different creatures, and there are lots of reasons
why selected classes (like math and science) need stand alone
desktops for CPU intensive processing.
I'm wondering if there is a Linux package that is geared towards
math/science like K12LTSP is to general education. Something that
installs with FreeMat, Octave, SciLab, etc. built into it. Anyone
seen anything like that?
Daniel
--
Daniel Howard
President and CEO
Georgia Open Source Education Foundation