Re: [seul-edu] Linux community support for education

[jeff williams <cfiaime@nconnect.net>]

On Wed, 10 Jan 2001, you wrote:
> Here's my question.  We've talked before about how the Linux
> community can get involved in education through advocacy and support
> of local schools.  That was useful information for those of us who
> are primarily Linux techies but not educators.  What I'd like to
> find out is if any of us who are teachers or school administrators
> have received or tried to enlist the help of local LUGs or other
> Linux community resources in their efforts to use Linux in school.
> If so, how successful were you?  If you were dissatisfied with the
> help you received (if any), why and in what way was it lacking?  If
> you haven't tried to locate and avail yourself of local Linux
> resources, why not?  Is there anything the Linux community can or
> should do to help you in your efforts?

Greetings Doug,

Since August I have been teaching in the computer science department of
Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon (a northern suburb of Milwaukee). 
Before I got on campus, Linux was fairly unknown.  This three week intersession
I am teaching a Linux administration course.  Four of the six students (at
least) work for the Information Technology department of the university.  Today
they got their suffed Tux penguins.

I mention this because of some of the comments made in class.  "Professor, this
is dynamite!  You know, we have some 486's in the archives that would make
killer X terminals in the Library!  Do you think...?"  We are turning out some
advocates.

In addition, there is a new Lutheran (Missouri Synod) high school opening this
fall about 15 miles from campus.  The principal is one of our education
professors who accepted this position.  "Dr. S., I've got a bunch of students
who would love to set up a computer network and labs for you using Linux."  It
looks like he is going to take advantage of this.

Our big problem is not the technical coordinators in the school districts, but
the school boards.  Again, in McPherson, Kansas, I offered expertise to the
school board when the question of system upgrades came up.  They needed both
Mac and Windows connectivity.  Of course Linux would be a very viable solution.
 Yet the school board was not interested.  The technical coordinators were,
however.

Now I'm looking for a Linux guru in the Topeka, Kansas, area to help with a
Linux demonstration project for the Kansas Surplus Properties organization. 
These people take the surplus government computers, (among other things) and
offer them for sale at very reasonable prices ($250 complete) to school
districts.  They desire to provide a turnkey Linux package.  Since my move to
Wisconsin I have had little opportunity to help them on the project.

These are just a couple of examples of educational advocacy.  I hope it helps.

-- 
jeff williams - cfiaime@nconnect.net
		jeff.williams@cuw.edu
		jbw9586@ksu.edu