I did a quick Google search of the following search term linux +education just to see what it came up with. You see, this afternoon has been spent by me trying to determine just what resources are out there in the open source in education world. The conclusion is that there is not a whole lot, let alone much that has been recently updated. I was disappointed to say the least. Now I know of a number of Linux websites that are dedicated to different distros, but I wanted specifically a US-based open source for education site. Not many.
I did come across this news article from an Indian news source. I felt like the verbiage was indicative of the current state of affairs…
“OSS offers these people a better opportunity to avail the technology as it can be made available at a cheaper rate. Another benefit of this software is that in India, a large volume of rural population does not understand English, this Doftware can be converted into local languages, as the source code of the software is made available along with the program,” she says.
The governments of countries around the world like India, Brazil, South Africa, Vietnam, Malaysia and China have either started to adopt or feel the need for specific policies on OSS.
I got to thinking that it is almost a shame that the governments of third world countries are so willing to try new and revolutionary ideas based on sheer need and yet we are so unwilling. Why is it that so much time and effort is being spent on developing Linux and open source for the third world and not here? Simple answer!
They want it. They need it.
We resist it.
Of course I don’t mean all of us, but it is remarkable how much we resist change, let alone a revolution of operating system. If you’ve been following my blog at all, you’ll see that I have embarked on a journey to resurrect old computers for use in my classroom because I can’t seem to get any new ones. A familiar problem? Tragically. But I’m not complaining. I am doing more with these old machines than most folks do with an entire lab! I say that not to boast, but rather to shed light on an unfortunate problem. So what it the solution?
We press on. I intend to try and roll out some more resources via this site for educators interested in beginning a search for open source software. I have been blogging on this topic for a few months now, and now I think it is time to take it to the next level. I am going to begin a wiki or a resource page or a something (suggestions welcome) to try and help other teachers who maybe can get their hands on old computers to revolutionize.
I feel like the folks in developing countries are not just taking advantage of this flattening world, they are helping to flatten it by force! Can’t say that I blame them.
edbloggernews says:
Still not convinced the world is flattening?
A story about how the Indian government is beginning to favor open source software and how this relates to the central theme of a flattening world in education.
22nd September 2006 at 6:21 pm
Tom Hoffman says:
I’m not sure exactly what you were looking for (and I’d like to know). I would strongly encourage you to contribute to an existing project rather than starting your own. Everyone starting their own is part of the problem.
22nd September 2006 at 11:23 pm
Steve Hargadon says:
Chris: I run the Open Source lab for the NECC and CUE ed tech shows, and we started the http://www.k12opensource.com wiki after the last NECC show. I also do a weekly internet radio broadcast on open source in education, and you can find recorded shows at http://k12opensource.wikispace.com/interviews or my blogs on the shows at http://www.stevehargadon.com. I’m also at work on a book on Linux and OSS in schools–email me and we can brainstorm.
22nd September 2006 at 12:04 am
crafty184 says:
Tom,
I guess I am lookng for someone who is already doing what I am thinking about doing so that I can get involved without having to do it myself. I recognize the downfalls of trying to go solo and the benefits of collaboration.
I want an active community united by the central goal of promoting the use of open source software in education.
I will happily investigate links if you have any!
Thanks for the comment!
Yours,
Chris Craft
22nd September 2006 at 6:20 am