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List:       suse-linux-uk-schools
Subject:    Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Typical uses of IT in schools
From:       Ian <ian.lynch2 () ntlworld ! com>
Date:       2001-12-20 21:27:11
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> > > 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




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