Re: A renewed request

[Malonowa <malonowa@wanadoo.fr>]

Doug Loss wrote:

> Malonowa wrote:
> >
> > So if you had a backend, you could use Java to produce graphs and such things to
> > identify weaknesses in the worlds current educational IT policy. Then you could
> > start projects which had more meaning than "copying commerce" and it'd all be more
> > newsworthy.
> >
> I'm not sure what "copying commerce" means.  If it means finding or
> building Linux alternatives to current educational software, then that's
> just what we're looking to do.  Trying to convince schools that they
> aren't using their computers correctly seems to me to not be a very good
> technique to get them to try Linux.  Catering to their expressed needs
> and desires seems more likely to be successful.

So we're promoting Linux!

What are we doing to PROMOTE Linux? Is finding alternatives a good method to promote
Linux? Or is it better to offer something new and innovative that other OSs don't have?
Something that demonstrates the unique support and community spirit of the Linux
community instead of the commercial, 'plugging a hole in the market'.

Remember that the media is geared towards seeing Linux projects as copying people like
Microsoft to compete with them. It's a sort of rebellious delinquent hackers outlook
that the press has.

>
>
> > That said, the good usage of IT in schools is all very well researched and
> > documented. You just need to know where to go to get the info. Remeber that
> > probably most teachers in the world don't really know what to do with IT properly
> > and are probably using the wrong software anyway.
> >
> You've mentioned some English documents to that effect.  Could you find
> that info for us?  Here in the US, states (and in some states,
> individual school districts) have the responsibility for determining
> their curriculum and other requirements, so there probably isn't any
> similar comprehensive document.  Not that I know for sure.  Folks, is
> there anything analogous in France, Germany, Sweden, Taiwan, etc.?  What
> is the Mexican ScholarNet requiring?  Even if we can get similar
> documents from a variety of countries, they'll still need to be collated
> so we can see what types of programs Linux will need to run to be viable
> in schools.
>
>

This is my point. Everyone should try to compile a little data and build some kind of
framework/plan from it. It's this sort of thing that'll help everyone get noticed -
credible research.

I think if you have a good IT policy then it shouldn't really matter what curriculum
you're working under. It's about using these IT skills in the context of your own
curriculum targets.

You may not for instance have data handling as a requirement in your curriculum but you
can see the wisdom in using it anyway. It would help you teach the curriculum you have
more effectively. Does it matter then that it's not in your curriculum? You could
certainly say that it's not a waste of time.