[K12OSN] Making K12LTSP

Wed Feb 9 19:32:59 UTC 2005

Maybe the answer is to develop GPL'd software to replace Reader Rabbit and all the other hot titles that I keep hearing about.  I see a lot of people on this list asking for Linux replacement to these programs.  Maybe some of those same people have programming skills and/or know someone who does.  And if there are no programming skills in that group of people, maybe you all should consider setting up a fund and paying an experienced developer to write the software for you.

I saw a developer's site that operated on a neat concept.  He called it "ransom".  The deal was, he was working on developing GPL software, but he wouldn't make releases until he collected a certain amount in donations--he was holding the new releases for ransom.  I wish I could remember the name of the site / software title.  Anyway, if lots of donations came in, he would put extra time into writing code.  If donations slowed down, he'd work on other projects that paid better.  I'm just mentioning it in case anybody needs some ideas on how to pay a developer to write software which will be freely available to anyone around the world.

-Rob

 --- On Wed 02/09, richard ingalls < aslansreturn at yahoo.com > wrote:
From: richard ingalls [mailto: aslansreturn at yahoo.com]
To: k12osn at redhat.com
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2005 10:12:56 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: [K12OSN] Making K12LTSP "school friendly"

--- "Terrell Prudé, Jr." <microman at cmosnetworks.com> wrote: > Jim Kronebusch wrote: > That's because I actually > learned how to *write*. > In short, having Reader Rabbit, etc. babysit our > kids obviously isn't > doing the job. > > Computers should certainly be taught as tools, for > example, for doing > Web-based research for a paper you're assigned to > write. They're also > pretty good for teaching typing (e. g. TuxType). > However, I don't > believe that sitting a second- or third-grader in > front of a CRT all day > is good for that child. Computers are great tools, > but they are only > tools, to be used in addition to other methods of > education. What I'm > hearing here is such a strong teacher dependence on > and attachment to > the computer, and worse, to certain specific > applications, that I see it > compromising actual education in the classroom. > It's p!
reventing so many > of you from going forward with a truly useful, not > to mention economic, > *computer* tool like K12LTSP. What's wrong with > books, pencil, and > paper along with the computers? Why are you so > against them? > At my school, my teachers are NOT that dependent upon specific software apps. They ARE however, looking for ways that technology can SUPPLEMENT their existing non-technology-based curriculums. For example, as we prepare for state-wide MAP tests, we are looking at using some web-based software apps, like BrainPOP.com. This would be great since it is cross-platform. BUT, I still don't have sound working in my linux labs, sot that's a bummer... Another example, we are looking into a grant for Reading First to help get students reading at grade level by grade three. There are several curriculums that don't involve computers in any form at all, which if fine by me. B!
UT we also want some SUPPLEMENTAL, tech-based options. He!
 re is wh
ere things like Reader Rabbit and other programs come into play. Until we can make things like this work on LTSP, there will be a big uphill battle into the American Education System (at least at the Elementary level). In Missouri, we have a program called eMINTS which has just gone nation-wide. Mizzou University and the State Dept. had partnered for several years, putting computer labs into classrooms, training the teachers on the technology AND inquiry-based learning and letting them collaborate. The results? Just as we would expect, test scores are higher, student achievement is higher, teacher satisfaction is higher, even attendance is higher. The problem? This model is based on the stand-alone PC running Windows XP, MS Office, Kidspiration/Inspiration... etc. Very specific software (all MS-based). Very specific training to the teachers (all MS-based). Not even MS-Terminal-Server stuff! So!
 you can imagine my frustratio n. I KNOW we can make the same things happen in our classrooms in Open-Source, but it AIN'T EASY!!!!! I'm a teacher, not really a techie (but it IS my job description). I WANT the technology to do all that it promises. I DON'T want to be tied to MS or any other proprietary format. BUT, my tech dreams are coming true in other schools in my state and they've got the money and they've got Microsoft stuff and they've got the training on that stuff and the software they use runs on it ONLY. Whaddya say to that? What can we do? 		 __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The all-new My Yahoo! - Get yours free! http://my.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ K12OSN mailing list K12OSN at redhat.com https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn For more info see <http://www.k12os.org>

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