Typical uses of IT in schools
Hi all, What does everyone on this list (and I know there are IT managers for schools in here) typically identify a schools requirements for IT? Do schools typically need to use productivity software such as word processors and spreadsheets or is there more customized software in use (educational titles and such like). AllI can remember of school was a large proportion of work done in productivity applications (MS Office), and not really any custom applications. Cheers, Jono
--- Jonathan Bacon <j.bacon@delta.wlv.ac.uk> wrote:
Hi all,
What does everyone on this list (and I know there are IT managers for schools in here) typically identify a schools requirements for IT?
Do schools typically need to use productivity software such as word processors and spreadsheets or is there more customized software in use (educational titles and such like).
AllI can remember of school was a large proportion of work done in productivity applications (MS Office), and not really any custom applications.
Cheers,
Jono
Okay - a large proportion of the Curriculum is done on a productivity suite at KS2 (Juniors). At KS1 it tends to be a little more 'specialist' but still a large amount with Office et al. Here's a link to the QCA schemes of work for ICT. They're not compulsary, but they're not bad - and save a lot of work. We modify them for use in our school. Check it out - http://www.standards.dfee.gov.uk/schemes/it/ The digit in the module title (ie. the '1' in '1a' is the year group - so '1a' is done by 5 year olds. I teach year 5 - so I do the '5a' etc. modules...) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Check out Yahoo! Shopping and Yahoo! Auctions for all of your unique holiday gifts! Buy at http://shopping.yahoo.com or bid at http://auctions.yahoo.com
In secondary schools there is much specialist software. A quick glance in our server's source directory reveals : Learning support materials to help with literacy/ numeracy. Support materials for almost all GCSE syllabuses, including practice papers- supplied by exam boards. subject specific such as language programs, Control technology simulations that support PC interfaces. Food and nutrician RE - world religions. Numerous Historical/humanities sources Newspapers going back 100 years etc The list is long and its all Windows based. Most schools have too big an investment in this to abandon it. Like most schools we use ICT as a tool to support the curriculum. Our desktop machines will continue to be Windows based and we use linux to run the server. If we were just interested in teaching computing then we could have kept our Archemedies - they were much more reliable machines (and more expensive) than PCs. Pupils can now work at home on much school work and they all have windows, with office. Colin Davies Meadows School, Chesterfield --- Jonathan Bacon <j.bacon@delta.wlv.ac.uk> wrote:
Hi all,
What does everyone on this list (and I know there are IT managers for schools in here) typically identify a schools requirements for IT?
Do schools typically need to use productivity software such as word processors and spreadsheets or is there more customized software in use (educational titles and such like).
All can remember of school was a large proportion of work done in productivity applications (MS Office), and not really any custom applications.
Cheers,
Jono
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__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Check out Yahoo! Shopping and Yahoo! Auctions for all of your unique holiday gifts! Buy at http://shopping.yahoo.com or bid at http://auctions.yahoo.com
Hi all,
What does everyone on this list (and I know there are IT managers for schools in here) typically identify a schools requirements for IT?
Do schools typically need to use productivity software such as word processors and spreadsheets or is there more customized software in use (educational titles and such like).
Whilst the vast majority of usage would be covered with an office suite, web browser, email, etc. There are a large number of somewhat custom apps. The most used of these would probably be Kudos. Then you have things such as ProDesktop and the software to drive CNC embroidery machines... Further we have a pile of software which might get a few hours use a *year*, but if it isn't there leads to very upset teachers. -- Mark Evans St. Peter's CofE High School Phone: +44 1392 204764 X109 Fax: +44 1392 204763
Am I correct in thinking that there are no Linux versions/alternatives for suites/programs such as Kudos, Pro Desktop and the like? We use both of those, as well as other career packages and tech software. We are also fortunate to have gifted programmers in our 6th form, whom we have recruited to write in house software on an "as needed" basis on many occasions. All VB, although there are a few C programmers here, as well as a Delphi fanatic.
Am I correct in thinking that there are no Linux versions/alternatives for suites/programs such as Kudos, Pro Desktop and the like? We use both of those, as well as other career packages and tech software.
There arn't even alternatives which work with Windows, so far as I know.
We are also fortunate to have gifted programmers in our 6th form, whom we
What's a 6th form? None of the schools in Exeter have them, nor are they exactly common in the rest of Devon.
have recruited to write in house software on an "as needed" basis on many occasions. All VB, although there are a few C programmers here, as well as a Delphi fanatic.
-- Mark Evans St. Peter's CofE High School Phone: +44 1392 204764 X109 Fax: +44 1392 204763
On Tuesday 18 December 2001 1:39 pm, Robb Bloomfield wrote:
Am I correct in thinking that there are no Linux versions/alternatives for suites/programs such as Kudos, Pro Desktop and the like? We use both of those, as well as other career packages and tech software.
We are also fortunate to have gifted programmers in our 6th form, whom we have recruited to write in house software on an "as needed" basis on many occasions. All VB, although there are a few C programmers here, as well as a Delphi fanatic.
Introduce him to Kylix 2 - it's Delphi for linux. I've downloaded the Enterprise evaluation and it looks good. There is also an Open Source version, which if free for OS development but does show a splash screen when starting up any apps developed on it. -- Gary Stainburn This email does not contain private or confidential material as it may be snooped on by interested government parties for unknown and undisclosed purposes - Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, 2000
On Monday 17 December 2001 16:27, Jonathan Bacon wrote:
Hi all,
What does everyone on this list (and I know there are IT managers for schools in here) typically identify a schools requirements for IT?
As a registered Inspector with OFSTED I have inspected IT in many schools across the country. I would say that 80% of usage should be with generic applications such as WP, SS, Drawing, Web browsing etc. About 10% data-logging, control and programming and 10% on things like computer based training and subject specific applications eg music technology, successmaker in mathematics and so on.
Do schools typically need to use productivity software such as word processors and spreadsheets or is there more customized software in use (educational titles and such like).
See above. Some might have a different point of view but in my experience children, even the youngest can use basic productivity tools with little modification. Mostly its the adults who transfer any prejudices they have to the children.
AllI can remember of school was a large proportion of work done in productivity applications (MS Office), and not really any custom applications.
I think a Linux thin client running Star Office and a web browser with flash support would be capable of providing the 80% mentioned above. This would free up resources for some specialist machines for which (at the moment at any rate) the only option is for specialist Windows based applications. What is required is a management perspective in IT that takes a critical approach to the prioritising and deployment of resources. Where ICT is concerned there is rarely the experience or technical knowledge in the decision makers to make good strategic decisions in this respect. HTH, -- IanL Open Source - save money - employ more teachers Use Star Office the free replacement for Microsoft Office
--- Ian <ian.lynch2@ntlworld.com> wrote:
On Monday 17 December 2001 16:27, Jonathan Bacon wrote:
See above. Some might have a different point of view but in my experience children, even the youngest can use basic productivity tools with little modification. Mostly its the adults who transfer any prejudices they have to the children.
I couldn't agree more. We taught Excel to Reception classes in my last school - that's 5 year olds! It was incredibly successful. And yes, it IS the adults who transfer their prejudices (and worries). Of course a bit of preparation is needed. I have had a template file (read-only) on the desktop, and the children open it up and fill in the data that we've collected, then 'save as'. -- Matt __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Check out Yahoo! Shopping and Yahoo! Auctions for all of your unique holiday gifts! Buy at http://shopping.yahoo.com or bid at http://auctions.yahoo.com
I think a Linux thin client running Star Office and a web browser with flash support would be capable of providing the 80% mentioned above. This would free up resources for some specialist machines for which (at the moment at any rate) the only option is for specialist Windows based applications. What
Problem is that here the requirement with Prodesktop is to be able to use it with a class group and with Kudos for an entire year group. (The latter within a fairly short time period) Quite a few of these specialised Windows based might need to be used by quite a lot of people. Effectivly there are 3 catagories a) the general office/web browser/email stuff b) software which is specialised but used only in certain departments. Possibly driving specific hardware. c) specialised software which needs to be used by large numbers of people at once. There dosn't appear to be an easy answer to the last catagory. Also the amount of usage isn't the be all and end all, Kudos typically sits idle on our system most of the year.
is required is a management perspective in IT that takes a critical approach to the prioritising and deployment of resources. Where ICT is concerned there is rarely the experience or technical knowledge in the decision makers to make good strategic decisions in this respect.
This is not just a problem with schools, LEA's can be just as bad. One thing I frequently end up complaining about is that software purchasing decisions are often left up to teaching staff. Who assume that just because it is easy to use on their home machine it will be easy to deploy on a network combined with not knowing anything about software licencing. -- Mark Evans St. Peter's CofE High School Phone: +44 1392 204764 X109 Fax: +44 1392 204763
On Wednesday 19 December 2001 11:43, Mark Evans wrote:
I think a Linux thin client running Star Office and a web browser with flash support would be capable of providing the 80% mentioned above. This would free up resources for some specialist machines for which (at the moment at any rate) the only option is for specialist Windows based applications. What
Problem is that here the requirement with Prodesktop is to be able to use it with a class group and with Kudos for an entire year group. (The latter within a fairly short time period)
Quite a few of these specialised Windows based might need to be used by quite a lot of people.
Effectivly there are 3 catagories a) the general office/web browser/email stuff b) software which is specialised but used only in certain departments. Possibly driving specific hardware. c) specialised software which needs to be used by large numbers of people at once.
There dosn't appear to be an easy answer to the last catagory.
I think there is. Have one room which they can book out and use - after all that's pretty much the situation im ost schools now. Have many thin clients all over the place for a) and a few specialised machines for b). If people did this, the sheer volume of take up of the OSS stuff would make it very likely that the b) and c) apps would be ported within a couple of years. The model I propose is long term affordable and sustainable and gets the pupil:computer ratio towards 1:1.
Also the amount of usage isn't the be all and end all, Kudos typically sits idle on our system most of the year.
is required is a management perspective in IT that takes a critical approach to the prioritising and deployment of resources. Where ICT is concerned there is rarely the experience or technical knowledge in the decision makers to make good strategic decisions in this respect.
This is not just a problem with schools, LEA's can be just as bad.
Sometimes worse :-)
One thing I frequently end up complaining about is that software purchasing decisions are often left up to teaching staff. Who assume that just because it is easy to use on their home machine it will be easy to deploy on a network combined with not knowing anything about software licencing.
On Wednesday 19 December 2001 11:43, Mark Evans wrote:
I think a Linux thin client running Star Office and a web browser with flash support would be capable of providing the 80% mentioned above. This would free up resources for some specialist machines for which (at the moment at any rate) the only option is for specialist Windows based applications. What
Problem is that here the requirement with Prodesktop is to be able to use it with a class group and with Kudos for an entire year group. (The latter within a fairly short time period)
Quite a few of these specialised Windows based might need to be used by quite a lot of people.
Effectivly there are 3 catagories a) the general office/web browser/email stuff b) software which is specialised but used only in certain departments. Possibly driving specific hardware. c) specialised software which needs to be used by large numbers of people at once.
There dosn't appear to be an easy answer to the last catagory.
I think there is. Have one room which they can book out and use - after all that's pretty much the situation im ost schools now. Have many thin clients all over the place for a) and a few specialised machines for b). If people did this, the sheer volume of take up of the OSS stuff would make it very likely that the b) and c) apps would be ported within a couple of years.
Sounds nice, unfortunatly I don't have the authority to do it. Let alone that it would upset quite a few people, at least short term. (Including the adult education people, who are already upset by Internet Explorer not being available. They have no idea at all how to get it to work in a way I consider "sensible", i.e. completly disable all of the "personalized" settings. Which just won't work anyway where USER.MAN is a symbolic link to a file most users have no write permission to anyway...)
The model I propose is long term affordable and sustainable and gets the pupil:computer ratio towards 1:1.
Also the amount of usage isn't the be all and end all, Kudos typically sits idle on our system most of the year.
is required is a management perspective in IT that takes a critical approach to the prioritising and deployment of resources. Where ICT is concerned there is rarely the experience or technical knowledge in the decision makers to make good strategic decisions in this respect.
This is not just a problem with schools, LEA's can be just as bad.
Sometimes worse :-)
But saying that upsets them... -- Mark Evans St. Peter's CofE High School Phone: +44 1392 204764 X109 Fax: +44 1392 204763
Effectivly there are 3 catagories a) the general office/web browser/email stuff b) software which is specialised but used only in certain departments. Possibly driving specific hardware. c) specialised software which needs to be used by large numbers of people at once.
There dosn't appear to be an easy answer to the last catagory.
I think there is. Have one room which they can book out and use - after all that's pretty much the situation im ost schools now. Have many thin clients all over the place for a) and a few specialised machines for b). If people did this, the sheer volume of take up of the OSS stuff would make it very likely that the b) and c) apps would be ported within a couple of years.
Sounds nice, unfortunatly I don't have the authority to do it. Let alone that it would upset quite a few people, at least short term.
Not everyone can but as I say, fight the battles you can win. I'm in a fortunate position of being able to make people offers they can't refuse ;-)
The model I propose is long term affordable and sustainable and gets the pupil:computer ratio towards 1:1.
Also the amount of usage isn't the be all and end all, Kudos typically sits idle on our system most of the year.
is required is a management perspective in IT that takes a critical approach to the prioritising and deployment of resources. Where ICT is concerned there is rarely the experience or technical knowledge in the decision makers to make good strategic decisions in this respect.
This is not just a problem with schools, LEA's can be just as bad.
Sometimes worse :-)
But saying that upsets them...
Again the art is upsetting those where it doesn't damage the course and cajoling those who can help. More to do with politics than technology. -- IanL Open Source - save money - employ more teachers Use Star Office the free replacement for Microsoft Office
participants (7)
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Colin Davies -
Gary Stainburn -
Ian -
Jonathan Bacon -
Mark Evans -
Matt Johnson -
Robb Bloomfield