Mailinglist Archive: opensuse-edu (171 mails)

[Paul Taylor <ptaylor@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sunday 30 Nov 2003 8:28 pm, ICT Support Officer wrote:
> Nothing so far has impressed me here in UK as far as ICT is concerned.
> Definition of ICT should be revised for schools. On the one hand staff and
> students use ICT facilities to aid their core subjects. There are many
> examples of this. In science, there is so called data logging facilities.
> Without computers they cannot record their data analysis. Should all
> Physics students learn how to program. Well, I think not. They do however
> need the necessary skills to use computers, and various software
> applications.
I think that most students are now quite compentent with the use and 
application of Office type software, be that OO or M$, but they are also 
growing up with the powerful message that computers are tools for leisure.  
Whatever else nasty might be said about BG and his evil empire the fact 
remains that computers are not in schools to help children learn.  They are 
there to make someone money.  They are a commodity, nothing more, nothing 
less.  Learning is merely a useful adjunct to this that some students use and 
some don't.  The one thing that takes up most of my lessons is fighting a 
rear guard action against on-line games.  Students have zero interest in 
creating another business letter or "project" as it distracts from their 
games.  This reinforces the fact that computers are marketed as games devices 
and also that the content of the ICT curriculum is dull.
> We have secretarial and Business studies. Students doing
> these courses also need to use various applications to aid their core
> learning. So the point I am trying to make here is that ICT is just a set
> of tools and learning to use such tools should be integrated into their
> core learning. A mechanic cannot repair an engine without tools...which
> brings me to my second point (or ..on the other hand bit). Currently, most
> schools in UK appear to be stuck with Microsoft products. Mostly the
> reasons for this is negative and quite frankly that is how the tax payers
> money is wasted. A mechanic can pick and choose whatever tools he needs to
> get the job done and not necessarily the most expensive or elegant tool.
> Schools however seem to choose the most expensive software tools. Most of
> the time the argument is that, that is what the standard is in industry.
I disagree with this to some extent.  The reason that schools "choose" M$ 
stuff is because there is little real marketing of anything else.  The people 
who make the decidions are not "expert" in computers and therefore go with 
the safe bet.  When I show my management OO and other open source solutions 
they smile at me and look nervously at the door.  They barely comprehend what 
M$ does so how can they make reasoned judgements on alternatives.
For me, in line with what I said above, the issue is related to money, but not 
for the usual reasons.  My school (I just started there this year so it was 
not on my watch) has just spent £30,000 or so "up-dating" the school's 
computers to XP and Office XP.  Last week I did a cover lesson for a year 9 
physics class.  One student pointed out that what he was reading was rubbish.  
I had to agree but when I flipped to the front of the book I noted that the 
book was published in 1983!  That to me is criminal and throwing endless 
money at computers is not the solution.
> Microsoft does not set standards, they sell goods. In many cases they
> completely ignore
> International standards (in my opinion). Not everyone drives BMWs or
> Mercedes's.
>
> Computing, as it was called in the old days should be a branch of ICT as
> computer studies where students are taught how to program, whether it's web
> programming, databases, spreadsheets etc. This however does not appear to
> be the norm as I read all postings here. ICT departments should be lead by
> people who have through knowledge of all aspects of computing. 
This is surely an obvious one.  We live in a market economy.  I posted a 
question about some help with a PHP site here and was told the going rate was 
£70/hour.  Very few people would sacrifice that sort of income for the abuse 
of a classroom and the relatively poor pay it exacts.
>Currently
> there are very few such people in schools. It's like having, say a pilot,
> running the ENT department of a hospital. I know my example is a bit
> extreme but you get the drift.
>
> What can we do to correct this situation....Well, that is the real
> question, isn't it??
>
We correct it I suppose by broadening out this type of forum and engaging 
people with challenging ideas related to computers.  I have introduced many 
of my students to Linux and it challenge and excites them as it is open.  My 
network manager spends his man hours locking down every little nook and 
cranny of the network so that students have a sterile environment, how can 
they possibly think learning about this is good?
>
> M Gural
>
> Network Manager
>
> Canon Palmer Catholic School