Re: Linux for Learning

["Michael Goehring" <MGoehring@Mistycity.com>]

>This gives me an idea -- why don't we set up a table, with proprietary
>software that schools typically use on one side, and free alternatives
>(the more the merrier, plus pages describing how to configure them well)
>on the other side.
>I'm sure such pages exist for general software (actually, I haven't found
>any that were publicized very far, and I tend to keep a close eye on all
>the Linux announcements sites/lists), but this would be tailored specifically
>to k-12 use, so it would include typing tutors, word processors, gradebooks,
>web proxies for limiting web access, etc.
>
>We're not going to be able to make this list without the help of the people
>who are actually *in* the schools using the software, so they can list
>real programs that we should list alternatives for.
>
>We should actually get some resources out there and useful to schools,
>else we're just going to stay a discussion list.
>
>--Roger

For the last few months I have been a casual observer of the correspondence on this mail list and read numerous admirable ideas and thoughts about ways to improve the educational environment. The idea of setting up a table to show alternatives to proprietary software schools currently use makes me question the intent of the admirable ideas I have read thus far. Do you intend to re-invent all of the current educational solutions available?

If so, why? What is the motivation to do so? Yes, there are numerous problems with the current educational system, but numerous initiatives are already proliferating to address the issues. For example, the SIF (Schools Interoperability Framework) Initiative <http://www.schoolsinterop.org> is working on reducing the redundancy in the North American educational system by creating an XML standard for moving data back and forth between currently divergent applications. This "best of breed" approach allows schools to maximize the efficiency of their data collection, while eliminating redundancy. Every vendor associated with the SIF Initiative is devoted to changing the current way the educational system shares data, and willing to work side by side with their competitors to do so.

If you decide to create alternatives to the current proprietary software, what are your hoping to accomplish? Have you heard from schools that no current educational solutions meet their needs, thereby necessitating an open-source environment to re-build the infrastructure from the ground up?

Please let me know,

Mike Goehring
Misty City Software