Educational Origami

I have been mulling over the software deal for schools now for a couple of days and it is raising more concerns.

The Software for schools deal provides “certainty” for some of the stakeholders, namely the software suppliers. They have certainty of funding and revenue for the next three years.
It does not provide certainty for schools, in fact I believe it raises more questions and uncertainty.

Instead of provide uncertainty and lack of transparency. For schools that have taken an alternative approach to supply of software by using open source alternatives like open office instead of iWorks or MS Office, do they receive the funding that would have been allocated to them? There are some interesting examples of organizations that have opted for an alternative approach -

• Albany Senior High School has an open source standard.
• Waikato and Auckland Universities use Google documents as their productivity suite
• All NSW school are migrating to open office instead of traditional packages.

Is it appropriate to base the integration of Information and Communication Technologies around a very limit tool set?

The suite of tools provide by Apple and Microsoft in this deal are hardly comprehensive, in fact they are tied to a 20th Century teaching paradim focused on paper based document production in essay format or simple linier presentations. Does this deal address the multimedia needs to teaching an learning in the 21st Century. Does it enable rich web publishing? Does it facilitate collaboration and communication in dynamic forms? Does it provide tools that will engage students?

This model does not allow schools the choice to adopt tools and technologies that enable creativity in methods that 21st century stduents would find engaging and motivating? Can you produce a:

• video
• podcast
• music
• Hi quality graphics
• a comic
• An animation
• wiki
• blog
• non linier presentation
• mind map
• brain storm
• a web page or site

using Microsoft Office or Apple iWork?

Both operating systems come packages with simple basic media tools (iMovie and moviemaker) Apple comes with garageband. But ask yourself the question.
If I had an allocation of money could I spend it/use it more effectively to enhance teaching and learning using ICTs

Could I use Open Office and invest the funds in:

• Video editors that are simple, reliable and straight forward to use
• Mind mapping tool
• Comic production tools – like comic life
• Music creation tools like Jam tracs (from Sony)
• Better web access to make use of Google documents, to collaborate using skype or gmail video chat

Could I use an alternative OS like Edubuntu, that will not tie me to upgrading my existing hardware to meet the demands of Vista or Windows 7, or limit me to an off the shelf standard mac?
Could I use thes alternative OS and repurpose the funding to provide more laptops or desktops so that my students have improved access to technology, so they can access these technologies on a just in time baseis rather than a just in case mode, where I have just booked the computer lab for Wednesday Period 3.

Does the Software deal provide certainty? Yes, for sales and marketing.

Should we be able to choose? Should we be entrusted to select the best suite of tools to address the needs of our 21st Century learners? Or should we conform to a standard and be punished if we look outside of the box?