One of the problems that all of the productivity suites have is the level of complexity for the younger students. Many adult users do not come close to the full capacity of their productivity suite and students particularly in the younger years certainly wont.

So imagine my suprise when this morning Miguel Guhlin and Julie Lindsay both posted in there blogs about OOo4Kids – open Office for Kids.

This is great. Its still in Beta, but the screenshots look excellent and I have downloaded the Beta to trial.

The layout is simplified, the icons larger and clear and better suited for the younger learners. The removal of the majority of the buttons makes its more applicable (see below). I am looking forward to this coming out of Beta and into Gold.

So it suits younger users, is free, small download, is ethical (you are not pirating it). Excellent

http://wiki.ooo4kids.org/index.php/Main_Page

Download – http://wiki.ooo4kids.org/index.php/Download

Video demo – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJkyPcP-TeU&feature=player_embedded

• Productivity suite – this is a word processor, presentation tool (slide style), Data processing tool (Spreadsheet) – this could be iWorks, MS Office or Open Office
• Image editing tool - alter and edit existing images and pictures – there is a wide selection of tools from companies like adobe, Corel or OSS products like The GIMP
• Graphics tool – this is a tool that allows me to create graphics – this can also be an image editor too (See above) add in Paint.net, Tux paint etc
• Mind mapping tool – these are brilliant tools often called graphical organisers – examples are Mind manager, Inspiration or OSS tools like Freemind and C-Map
• Web development tools – this could be a simple text editor or a more complex html tool – there is the standard Adobe Dreamweaver or OSS tools like KompoZer
• Video editor – Most operatings systems come with a basic video editor like iMovie and moviemaker, but these are limited.
• Audio editor - Mac has a beauty in garage band, and microsoft’s offering sound recorder is very poor. For me I like Audacity
• Media player – lots of flavours here, but you want a couple to cover all of the different codec – I quite like VLC
• Internet browser - A wide selection all have good and bad points I use IE, Firefox and Opera
• VoIP Client – Skype – what a stunner
• Communication tools - these are your email clients – Most OSes come with a simple version like Outlook express I like First class but its much more than just a email client
• Instant messaging tools – your choice of course – I use the First class IM tool and Skype
• Desk top publishing tools - Some are powerful and well respected and others are we friendly but not great – my preference is trhe OSS tool scribus
• CD/DVD creation tools
• Archiving tool – Winzip or even the windows archive tool

Specialist tools

• GIS tools (GIS = Geographical Information systems) – got to love Google earth
• Animation tools – I like SAM from TUFT University  – Free and very cool. I guess you could include Microsoft photostory in this category too.
• Comic creation tools - My favourite is plasq’s comic life but there are some online alternatives
• programming tools – I like and use VB.Net 2008 express, Game maker, Marvin
• project management tools - the OSS tools openproj and ganttproject are my favourites here
• PDF reader and creator. For my reader I can go past Adobe Acrobat Reader. For my creator – open office does this natively and cutepdf does the rest

Looking at this list most categories have a FOSS (Free or open source – these are in Bold) alternative. These are worth considering .

So what is missing and what could you add to a list of tools we need.

While the “software for schools” deal does provide a basic productivity suite for computers in schools and an OS it is a very limited selection of the tools that many learner need and use regularly. Here is my list of some of the tools that I use: (NB some require registration, and others like Comic life will require purchase but are well worth the investment)

One of the best tools for the visual learner is a mind map. This learning tool is not covered by the software for schools package but fortunately for us there are some excellent alternatives that are reasonably priced (Many are open source and free). Here is a selection that are worth considering:

• C-Map – http://cmap.ihmc.us/conceptmap.html this is a favourite of mine. Its free, powerful, easy to use. I highly recommend this. It is also available in an assortment of flavours – Windows, Mac and Linux
• Freemind – http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page This is, I believe, one of the standards for open source mind mapping. Great straight forwarded well suited to a variety of ages. It is also available in an assortment of flavours – Windows, Mac and Linux.
• Mind Jet  Mind manager – http://www.mindjet.com/ This is a professional standard powerhouse of a tool, but its not free. The lead version (mind manager is windows with Mind manager 7 available for mac and windows.
• Inspiration and kidspiration – http://www.inspiration.com/ this is a standard for education.  Available in Windows and Mac its good but I find it clunky. This is a purchased tool and its not that cheap.
• Compendium – http://compendium.open.ac.uk/software.html - This si a free mind mapping and brain storming tools created by the Open University in the UK. It also has an excellent argument mapping tool/template as well. This is another favourite of mine. Also available in all three major flavours – Windows, Linux and Mac.

Resources:

I have put together some notes and ideas for mind mapping and tied these into Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy.

http://edorigami.wikispaces.com/blooms%2C+learning+styles+and+thinking+organisers

Starter Sheets – Mindmieister – this is a web based mind mapping tool – http://edorigami.wikispaces.com/Starter+Sheets

This is a 3D mind mapping tool that has recently appeared – it has a free student addition. I haven’t had a chance to look at it, so I can pass comments. http://www.topicscape.com/student-edition.php?display=5

This is a directory of mind mapping tools – looks at web based options as well – http://www.c4lpt.co.uk/Directory/Tools/mind.html

1 . Teaching English  - http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/

This is a great site for teachers of English. Well worth a visit. You will need to register, but this is quick painless and free.

2.  Crimespotting mash up – http://radar.oreilly.com/2009/08/seeing-the-future-mapping-crimespotting-stamen.html

mash ups are brilliant examples of the power of information. This is an excellent example of a mash up and it can be used to facilitate some very interesting conversation and discussion.

3. F shaped reading pattern - http://www.useit.com/alertbox/reading_pattern.html

The implications of this study are huge. It raises questions about how we design not only webpages but teaching resources. This is probably a whole post in its own right.

4. Free Mindmapping tool - http://www.topicscape.com/student-edition.php?display=5

This is a free tool that allows students to produce three dimensional mind maps. There is a free student addition for this tool with commercial & professional level tools requiring  purchase.

5.  The twitter experiment http://www.committedsardine.com/blogpost.cfm?blogID=175

Visit the committed sardine and watch the video. Well worth the time.

Here is Pauls original comment and below it my responce;

“Good thoughts Andrew. As a Ministry employee trying to do the best for schools I have noticed that (often) when the Ministry makes a selection for schools the response is “Give us the money and let us decide how to use it” and when the Ministry does not make a selction we hear “You know best so select and tell us”.

Maybe a posting on criteria to decide when restricted choice might work better and when to leave it open? With so many able commentators I am sure it would prove useful to me.”

Hi Paul

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate that you do feel like your are “piggy in the middle” with this.
However, the ministry does apply a one size fits all model when it comes around to funding software. The model is essentially if you are an apple school you get X and if your are a PC school you get Y and if you are not you get $0.

I also realise it is a sliding scale with the schools able to add more PC’s/Apples and the ministry expected to pick up the cost as the number of machines changes through out the term/year/contract duration.

I would prefer to see a scale of options available with responcibilty loaded onto the schools. Essentially it is this.
Each eligible school has a series of choices or levels
Level 1. Standard complete package  which is MinEdu provides OS, and software.
level 2. No iWorks/Office package. Schools agree to purchase/install a suitable productivity tool & are provided with funding to the value of the productivity package to be invested in ICT – this is an accountable process
level 3. Only OS package  – Schools agree to purchase/install a suitable productivity tool, networking, Antivirus, etc are provided with funding to the value of the productivity/networking/AV package to be invested in ICT – this is an accountable process
level 4. Self supported – Schools are provided with equivilent funding but not access to any of the tools/technologies. Again this is accountable. The school must provide certain minimums
I suspect that many schools if presented with this would opt for the complete package and that other would also opt for the 2 level which is No productivity tools, choosing to use a recognised Open Source tools like Open Office and reinvest in other technologies to enhance learning.

I believe schools should/MUST have a choice. The package delivered by the ministry is not comprehensive enough for students in the 21st Century. It is not enough to just deliver a word processor, data processing tools and presentation tool and some elements of the infrastructure. We can not limit our students to just these tools, this is stiffling creativity.

Thanks Paul for you reply, I appreciate you comments and openness to discussion.

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?

While the ministry has been quoted in interface magazine as saying  ”The agreement covers almost 200,000 computers and provides schools with certainty for the next three years,” said Howard Baldwin, Acting Manager, e-Learning. I personally feel it doesn’t.

Sources: Interface MinEdu

Teachers will face the change to Vista or Windows 7, They will face the change to Office 2007 or Office 2010.

These changes will not be comfortable. The change to vista will require schools to increase specifications in their computer systems and the change of OS & productivity suite will require re-training for many staff. This is not certainty.

But more importantly there is a lack of choice. Are schools able to opt out of this deal, retain the funding and use alternative products? Are they able to implement open office and rechannel the MS deals funding back into ICT? Are they able to use Edubuntu as an OS and repurpose the funding to provide laptop pods, smartboards, digital cameras, flip videos or a host of other tools?

Some will argue that “We should stay with the market leader!” well perhaps we should look at the future of cloud computing and stick with the likes of Google documents, Zoho Documents, Adobe’s Buzzword and presentation tool. See The NMC Horizon Project

Some will also say that open office is not up with the times, is old fashioned and lacks new features. But if you look below at the screenshot recently posted on life hacker you may change your opinion. And for those who say well it can do everything – Please tell me what Open Office can’t do that MS Office or iWorks can?

Source: Lifehacker

I have issues here with a lack of choice. The certainty spoken of is fictional, are we going to see changes in the next 3 years from Apple and Microsoft in their OSes and Productivity tools? Of course – so teachers will have to retrain and adapt this is certain

So the question is – Can schools have the choice to select their own software that best suites their needs and use the funding allocation to best support the integration of ICT into their classrooms and teaching & learning practice.

Source: http://www.dangerouslyirrelevant.org/snippets/

This is a great mind mapping tool for the senior students. Its is straight to the point, simple, easy to use and simple. My senior students prefer this to the more colourful tools (Like freemind) that the Middle School students prefer.

They have release their latest verision 5.04. – Download it and try it, you will like it.

Home page – http://cmap.ihmc.us/conceptmap.html

Download page – http://cmap.ihmc.us/download/index.php

Scribus is one of the best FOSS (Free and open source software) products I have found. This is a powerful and flexible desktop publishing tools for Windows, mac and Linux operating systems.

There blurb sums it up:

“Scribus is an open-source program that brings award-winning professional page layout to Linux/Unix, MacOS X, OS/2 and Windows desktops with a combination of “press-ready” output and new approaches to page layout. Underneath the modern and user friendly interface, Scribus supports professional publishing features, such as CMYK color, separations, ICC color management and versatile PDF creation. ”

But this isn’t why I am such a fan. I like it because it does what its told. There are several DTP tools that are commonly used that almost have ESP, as they anticipate your every move and format text and images accordingly. Unfortunately their ESP is flawed and the end result is frustration. Scribus does not do this it does what its told, it does not change font size or reformat boxes, its doesn’t hyphenate or run text between columns.

Its simple, straight forward and free. It is also well supported by a vibrant community too. This is an excellent low TOC (Total cost of ownership) tool and provides a sutable alternative for Microsoft Publisher