[Sussex] Schools

[John D.]

Geoffrey J. Teale wrote:

>"berto" <berto at berto.org> writes:
>
>  
>
>>the problem i see with this comes back to the age old argument, what
>>are they used to using? Most people especially I have noticed school
>>kids do not care about how x & y works they just want it to work and
>>micro$oft stuff generally does that, having it so the kids use Linux
>>with OO and who knows what else at school and then at home they use
>>Windows and MS Office, it could cause more damage then do good.
>>    
>>
>
>There is an essence of truth about what you're saying.  I've had a
>little exposure to the educational issue through the FSF and I've even
>spent time speaking to IT people from a couple of schools, so I've a
>couple of points to add. 
>
>Firstly a lot of the time schools purchasing policies are defined by
>whatever their LEA's approved suppliers say.  Like many places the
>policy is not to question this too much and assume that they are doing
>what is required.  The only way this will change for _most_ schools is
>if a directive comes from above the LEA level.  This report (and the
>coverage given to it by the TES) is special because it represents a
>move in that direction.
>
>Secondly, the combined result of Tesco's "Computers for schools"
>campaign and the history of hardware purchases (and the long shelf
>life schools require for their investment), many schools are using
>very odd combinations of hardware.  My nephews schools has a few
>Windows machines, a few Mac's (mostly from the aforementioned
>"Computers for schools" program) and some older boxes running DOS.
>
>As for stuff "just working" - school networks don't "just work" they
>are hooked up by people with at least a vague understanding of
>networking. I can tell you now that a network of machines that don't
>need as much baby sitting as Windows does could be the end of a major
>headache for a lot of schools.
>
>  
>
>>Which would mean schools would end up costing more as they have to
>>go the long way and get both in the end.
>>    
>>
>
>Simply wouldn't happen.  There are several schools in the UK that have
>already made the switch to Linux for classroom activities (especially
>to the LTSP thin client system).  There are many more schools that
>already have Mac's (as mentioned above).
>
>The requirements of schools in general (from the educational point of
>view) are very simple.  It's in administration that they have real
>trouble - there are specialist applications that schools need for
>management.
>
>  
>
>>Also through my university i am able to get Microsoft products for
>>free, which i am know a lot of university are signing up to now.
>>    
>>
>
>Well, then you have to make a quality decision.  If you feel that
>taking software at "no short-term fiscal cost" is as good as using
>"free software" then so be it. 
>
>Funny how these policies always sounds like a heroin dealers pitch
>
>isn't it ?  :-)
>
I also seem to recall a recent article somewhere (maybe el reg, or 
slashdot), from "RM" (the company that seems to have an "apparent" 
strangle hold on provision of IT kit for schools?) where "they" said, 
that in their view, linux wasn't ready for the desktop? yet.

I suppose that if that _is_ the case, then their vested interest would 
probably go unnoticed by those actually making the "policies" that Geoff 
is alluding to.

I'd imagine that "they" have some sort of deal with M$/are a licencing 
sub-contractor of sorts. So they'd be bound to say that!

Personally, i'd also disagree with berto. Surely, one of the reasons 
that theres a great number of M$ based systems "in the home", is because 
thats what the people who hold the purse strings (parents) see at work.

While an introduction of linux/OSS based stuff into schools, would go 
some way to showing those that need to be shown (the kids) that there 
are alternatives available - whether it be ported versions of specific 
apps, or even the "full monty" in a dual-boot environment.

I mean, hey, my recent troubles with my system, have got me round to 
thinking in terms of the application to do what I want, in the most cost 
effective way (obviously - well, too me - equals linux). I might 
struggle with it at times, and moan like hell about the dearth of "good" 
documentation, but I don't think that I'd change anything, I certainly 
wouldn't like to have to take a step back (windows only :D ).

I have to presume that some of you will have read about the ongoing 
project to produce a system for less than £100 (or was that $'s US?) 
aimed at the "third world". 
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/05/03/ultra_thin_digital_divide/ is 
what I was thinking of.

Surely, if thats possible for the "third world" to narrow the digital 
divide, then a similar solution might be of use here to reduce public 
spending IT costs, especially in schools etc ???

regards

John D.