[ubuntu-za] Website for FOSS in Schools

William Walter Kinghorn williamk at dut.ac.za
Wed Mar 25 13:58:28 GMT 2009


Hi All,

If you go to Linux Brochure Project http://lbproject.sourceforge.net/

I have attached 2 files from there

This is what I was proposing, A 2 Page pamphlet

William
________________________________________
From: Hilton Theunissen [hiltontza at gmail.com] On Behalf Of Hilton Theunissen [hilton at inkululeko.co.za]
Sent: 25 March 2009 08:52
To: Sudhashen Naicker
Cc: scorpking at scorpking.za.org; William Walter Kinghorn; raoul.snyman at saturnlaboratories.co.za; petern2 at openweb.co.za; Jonathan Carter; Morgan Collett
Subject: Re: [ubuntu-za] Website for FOSS in Schools

Hi Sud

We established the open source lab at Northberry park in 2005, William
was one of the volunteers on the day of the installation.  During 2006
the school through a funder decided to upgrade and installed 2 x 45
seater ubuntu labs.  They had a nice setup which was done by Yusuf
until the server mboard packed up recently. also the old IT teacher
(very component floss teacher) left and the new one has no floss
knowledge or skills.

I chatted to the school last week and advised them to migrate to M$ due
to lack of support in Pmz and the exams dilemas.

I introduced Mike to the school to get him as national convener to
assist them to write their exams on openoffice.org

I worked with Mike since I founded tuxlabs in 2002. I still send him
ubuntu distro's whenever a new release arrives. Mike was at the
forefront of the M$ deal and still is. He is on the Computer society and
ICDL board and objected to floss for a long time. He is slowly getting
ont track but way to slow. I think might has been part of the team that
prepared IT exams since its dawn in SA schools. I am told he is retiring
next year - one stumbling gone!!! Four big ones still to go  - all old
school mantras

I am told that DoE is high on the FLOSS migration list at the GITO
council but progress very slow. M$ asked me to assist them in promoting
open standards vs open source when it comes to policy - I told them they
don't need my help as they are doing a good job already.

gents don't get me wrong, I am not against your desire to get floss into
public schools. It has been my agenda since 2001 and still funding it
from my pocket.

I am of the opinion that we would have BIGGER impact when we work with
private and ex model C schools. The majority of school writing the CAT
and IT exams exist are within this band - 90%.

Peter hit the nail on its head - AFTER SCHOOL COMPUTER CLUBS. I have
decided to approach my son's school in the new quarter, Fourways High.

Oh just another point FLOSS in Schools is not Ubuntu only!! I am
starting to like Linpus for example.

My 2cents

find me on skype: hiltontheunissen

Hilton






Sudhashen Naicker wrote:
> Hi
>
> Wonder if you can give me some advice here -  I was given this advice
> and contact:
>
> Hi
>
> I'm not sure where you are located but one of the schools is Northbury
> Park Secondary School in Pietermaritzburg.  Mr Maharaj, the principal,
> could put you in contact with the teacher.  Their number is (033) 391-4451.
>
> Mike Chiles
>
> Hi Sudashen
>
> I meant to add the following cautionary note to my earlier messages.
>
> Schools using Linux are currently in the minority.  This might change in
> years to come but right now it might be one or two schools per
> province.  The implication of this is that when, and if, schools meet in
> their clusters to discuss issues relating to the teaching of CAT and IT
> the "Linux school" might feel a bit left out as they are not using the
> same software as the other schools.
>
> Regards
> Mike Chiles
>
> The principal at the school I am maintaining called the contact and was
> advised not to go the linux route basically because of the last comment
> he made.  Educational packs, conferences etc are Microsoft based and
> this teacher feels really left out.  How do you tackle this in your
> schools and what advice can you give here?
>
>
> Kind Regards
>
> Sudhashen Naicker
> Projects and Operations Director
> Ixion InfoTech
>
> Cell:0825688455
> Tel:0116954887
> http://www.ixion.co.za
>
>
>
>
>
> Hilton Theunissen wrote:
>> Hi Hannes
>>
>> search for "how to tuXlab cookbook" you will find procedures for
>> advocacy, school buy-in, volunteer participation, skills and knowledge
>> transfer during installs, training manuals, community support
>> model,etc. in there.
>>
>> I also request that you focus on training and support, I still fund
>> training and support in just under 90 floss schools(all running
>> ubuntu). It is not easy without funding, the volunteer model is also
>> not sustainable. I requested support in Pietermaritzburg for 5 schools
>> - not a SINGLE TELL ME WHERE AND THEN I GO FIX IT response.
>>
>> Guys I have been down this road, do it the right way or stay away. You
>> will do more damage.
>>
>>
>>
>> William Walter Kinghorn wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Hannes,
>>>
>>> The way I look at this is that we need to get the schools involved in
>>> the support structure ( they need to own this ) , and only get hold
>>> of "us" when they really need to. If the school does not want to be
>>> involved in the support structure, then they must pay someone to do
>>> it. We need to setup a support structure for the schools that don't
>>> need help, and for the ones that need help.
>>>
>>> We need to get some Teachers/Educators and Students ( Computer Clubs
>>> ) involved with the installation of flavour of Linux ( Ubuntu in our
>>> case ), as well as the installation of Apps, minor trouble shooting.
>>> For this we will need to create manuals, there are some already
>>> created, we need to change them to only have the amount of
>>> information as required.
>>>
>>> If a school chooses Edubuntu with a LTSP, then that is what they will
>>> also be taught, it is basically Ubuntu + Edubuntu extra dist, need to
>>> show them non LTSP as this is what they will have to install at home
>>> if they want Edubuntu at home.
>>>
>>> The support structure will need to be for the schools and also for
>>> the home users that need it, both free and pay. The free could be, we
>>> do a school install fest once every month at a particular school, and
>>> invite other schools to join in. Invite schools that have not had our
>>> setup yet, so that they can see what it is all about.
>>>
>>> Some schools might need to have a server, and the same things apply,
>>> either they learn what to do, or they pay someone to install and
>>> service the setup.
>>>
>>> Some of the manuals will need updating, both now and also in the future.
>>>
>>> William
>>>
>>>
>>> ________________________________________
>>> From: ubuntu-za-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com
>>> [ubuntu-za-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com] On Behalf Of Hannes Coetzee
>>> [scorpking at scorpking.za.org]
>>> Sent: 23 March 2009 21:48
>>> To: hilton at inkululeko.co.za; Ubuntu South African Local Community
>>> Subject: [ubuntu-za] Website for FOSS in Schools
>>>
>>> Greetings everyone
>>>
>>> A big thank you to everyone that added info to the school wiki page.
>>> Another rather big problem is support. As someone mentioned to the wiki
>>> page, if there are no support for schools this whole thing will fail.
>>> I've seen a few school labs gather dust because there's no support. The
>>> only way I see out of this one is a support website (maybe someone else
>>> have another option that we can consider?). Should we decide to put up a
>>> support website, then there will be more things to consider.
>>>
>>> What will the site consist of and what info will go onto the website?
>>> What CMS system will work best for such a site and will it be able to
>>> handle future expansions?
>>> What will be the easiest way to maintain the site?
>>> What would schools possibly want to see on the site?
>>> What would be the best way to organize support for schools in a central
>>> location?
>>>
>>> Please read the support section on
>>> http://wiki.ubuntu-za.org/SchoolProject to see what has been covered so
>>> far. Please share your ideas and experiences so we can decide on the
>>> best support system for schools. It should be effective and easy for
>>> schools to use and not put too much strain on anyone.
>>>
>>> Regards
>>> Hannes
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> ubuntu-za mailing list
>>> ubuntu-za at lists.ubuntu.com
>>> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-za
>>>
>>> "This e-mail is subject to our Disclaimer, to view click
>>> http://www.dut.ac.za"
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>

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