[ubuntu-us-in] ubuntu for the classroom

[Miles Z Sterrett]

Gentlemen -

  I have no first-hand experience, but I do know that Pioneer Jr./Sr. High
(near Logansport) outfitted some English classrooms with Linux boxes a
couple years ago (their site is never up-to-date, but:
http://www.pioneer.k12.in.us/education/components/whatsnew/default.php?sectiondetailid=761).
However, I'm fairly sure they use OpenSuse.  In any case, perhaps that would
be another point of reference.  Good luck.

  MilesZS


On Mon, Jan 5, 2009 at 11:32 AM, Simón Ruiz <simon.a.ruiz at gmail.com> wrote:

> On Sun, Jan 4, 2009 at 5:24 PM, Randy Heiland <heiland at indiana.edu> wrote:
> > Hi all,
>
> Hello, Randy,
>
> > Can anyone offer any first-hand experience with using Ubuntu in the
> > K-12 public classroom?  I just joined a tech committee for a new
> > charter school (grades 7-9) that's suppose to start here in Columbus,
> > IN next fall.  I would like to promote the use of Linux for the
> > computer lab, etc., but suspect that Windows will win out due to other
> > people's pro-Windows stance.  I'd welcome any comments people might
> > have and whether or not there are part-time sysadmins to be found.
> > And I'm aware of the Indiana Access/Linux program as I talked to some
> > of the people behind it, but that's been several years ago and I
> > haven't followed its progress.  Anyone know if there's a mailing list,
> > etc, for that program?
>
> I work at an independent school in Fort Wayne that uses Ubuntu in the
> K-12 private classroom and I *used* to work at a public school in
> Bloomington that uses Ubuntu in the K-12 public classroom.
>
> Bloomington High School North received about 9 Language Arts (English)
> classrooms full of computers as part of the IN Access program. Other
> than that, they were a homogeneously Windows shop when I left a couple
> of years ago. I can get you contact information for the Technology
> Director over there if you'd like (e-mail me privately about this).
>
> My current employer here in Ft. Wayne modeled one Math classroom after
> the IN Access program. We also use Ubuntu in a dual-boot configuration
> in our main computer lab at the High School, and all our programming
> classes are taught there using Ubuntu. We also use Linux almost
> exclusively in the server room (we have one proprietary database app
> that requires an MS SQL backend).
>
> You should definitely get a hold of the Michigan City folks that Nate
> mentioned, by the way; they've gone through using Open Source in new
> schools, as well as switching schools overs.
>
> Nate also mentioned the K-12 Open Minds conference that has occurred
> in Indianapolis the past two year; that effort is being pushed and
> promoted primarily by the Indiana DOE in parallel with the IN Access
> program <http://www.doe.in.gov/inaccess/>, which incidentally is
> progressing quite well and growing every year. You may want to get a
> hold of Mike Huffman or Forrest Gaston over there (again, e-mail me
> privately if you'd like contact info); they might be able to help you
> refine your approach, as they've been involved in most every Indiana
> public school's move towards Linux in the past several years.
>
> There's no mailing list for the IN Access program, really, but most of
> the people involved are on the HECC <http://www.hecc.k12.in.us/>
> mailing list.
>
> So, there's plenty of data and case studies, especially here in
> Indiana, to help you argue for the consideration of Linux. It
> undeniably gets you more bang for your technology buck.
>
> My personal comment is that people hate change, so you've got a lot
> better chance of working Linux in as the school is being formed than
> switching over later on. You've got the best chance of making a
> difference right now.
>
> As for me, I'm at your service if you need anything or have any questions.
>
> Hope this finds you having a lovely day!
>
> > thanks, Randy
>
> Simón
>
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