[ubuntu-za] school setup

[Quintin van Rooyen]

On 27 May 2010 13:13, Robert Ketteringham <robket at gmail.com> wrote:

> On Thu, 2010-05-27 at 12:59 +0200, frans wrote:
> >
> > On 10/05/27 12:27 PM, Helge Reikeras wrote:
> > > On 27/05/2010 12:17, frans wrote:
> > >
> > >> I've been asked to help with setting up a school computer room, about
> 50
> > >> pc's.
> > >>
> > >> wich programs would you recogment...
> > >>
> > >> like gost, teacher control, etc.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > > Check out Edubuntu http://edubuntu.org/. It's designed to be used in
> > > school computer labs.
> > >
> > >
> > Also first place I'd look, yes. unfortionately they want xp :(, so maybe
> > I can give the info through for a next system :)
> >
> >
>
> PLEASE please please dissuade them from using XP, here are my reasons:

1. The argument that they will have "but we want the kids to use something
that is being used in real life" is bollocks. Really. XP is being phased
out. Depending on how old these kids are, they might not be using XP outside
of this school scenario at all.

2. COST. Edubuntu is free, and the other "Total Cost Of Ownership" argument
is nonsense. To get a tech to come fech a Windows PC is not a lot cheaper
than having a tech there to fix an Ubuntu PC.

3. EDUCATION. Edubuntu has access to educational tools that will add richly
to their educational experience. Edubuntu is also built SPECIFICALLY for the
classroom environment, so the teacher will have more control over what the
kids do.

4. NO GAMES. I have seen computer labs in schools go to the dogs because the
kids convince the teacher to install games for a lan. Lan gets held, and hey
presto the LAB is the next playground.

5. Want to educate them to use Microsoft tools like Word & excel & outlook?
Two things:
a) Take some of that money that you saved forking out for an old outdated
Operating system and buy crossover at half the price. Install Office. Enjoy.
b) I am no expert, but teaching kids how to use an interface is
counterproductive. It teaches them NOTHING about how computers work. It
teaches them to be office drones, data capturers at best. Using Edubuntu you
will be able to teach them how the interfaces work, but also give them an
opportunity to learn the actual HOW behind what happens on the screen.

6. They are using study tools that "only work on windows." Fair enough, that
may be, see if it works on Edubuntu + Crossover (you can get a 30day license
to try this) and if it does you have another hurdle crossed.

Heck, if you provide me with the software that provides the hurdle I will
personally test it for you to see if it can run, or be made to run.

/rant.




> Our school had a program which allowed the teacher/lab admin to "spy" on
> each desktop. Basically to make sure that the kids are working and not
> playing games/etc. Our school paid $$$ for that program, worst idea ever
> in my (very biased) opinion, but you might want to check out the open
> source equivelant iTALC.
>
> http://italc.sourceforge.net/wiki/
>
> It has other benefits including being able to perform administration
> remotely and screencasting to all the PC's.
>
> Robert
>
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>


-- 
Quintin van Rooyen
quintin.vanrooyen at gmail.com
The New SA Geek!
http://blog.g33q.co.za
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