education August 2006

education@lists.fedoraproject.org

2 participants
8 discussions

Recorded Conversation with Robert Arkiletian about K12LTSP (with links)
by Steve Hargadon 28 Aug '06

28 Aug '06

http://educationbridges.net/k12opensource/wp-content/uploads/fl_teachertool… or http://educationbridges.net/k12opensource/wp-content/uploads/fl_teachertool… or http://edtechlive.wikispaces.com/Recordings+List (listen on the web) A conversation with Robert Arkiletian who, in addition to teaching physics and computer programming at a secondary school in Vancouver, has created fl_TeacherTool, a program for K12LTSP installations which allows the teacher to view, control, broadcast to, and communicate with individual student desktops. We discuss the barriers in schools to implementation of Linux thin client and how he overcame them. Robert also describes in detail the features of fl_TeacherTool. Will only really be of interest to those working with LTSP or K12LTSP, or thinking of it. One of the most interesting things to me about the interview was Robert's description of how he was effective in getting approval for his Linux thin-client lab--and why many such labs have required an "inside" champion. He describes: 1. How helpful it was to show that if the lab didn't work out, the server he was going to purchase could be used for some other purpose; 2. How he set up his workstations as dual-boot machines, so that Windows could be used if there was dissatisfaction with Linux; 3. How helpful the K12OSN email list has been for technical support. These are options that only an "insider" can really effectively provide. But even as an "insider" at a school, and showing the tremendous cost savings, it can still be difficult to get approval for a Linux thin-client lab. I think, in large part, this is because Linux is unfamiliar, and it is unrealistic to think that schools will be willing to take the risk of trying a technology that is not well known. As more publicized installations of Linux take place in schools (Indiana, for example), and as Linux is seen as a viable desktop alternative, then the tremendous cost savings will then have an opportunity to become a compelling factor. It has been interesting to watch, however, how some schools have been able to overcome the barriers to implementation of Linux. I would argue that these are typically schools that just don't have the money for traditional computing resources, and have to look outside of the box through sheer desperation. At that point, I think they are somewhat shocked, and then pleasantly surprised, to find out how inexpensively they can provide basic productivity computing. I continue to be interested in the compelling story that is beginning to emerge more publicly related to computer use in schools: 1. Schools have spent a lot of money on computers, and had to cut other programs because of funding issues--now their computers are getting old and they're being asked to spend comparable amounts again; 2. Schools haven't seen academic improvement because of computers, and most students get limited time on computers each week; 3. Schools that have installed less glamorous, inexpensive computer solutions are able to give the students and teachers a more significant opportunity to integrate the computer into their curriculum; 4. Where the computer is able to be actively integrated into the curriculum, there is student and teacher enthusiasm, and there are reports of significant academic improvement. It should be interesting to see how this plays out. -- Steve Hargadon steve(a)hargadon.com 916-899-1400 direct www.SteveHargadon.com - (Blog on Educational Technology) www.K12Computers.com - (Refurbished Dell Optiplexes for Schools) www.TechnologyRescue.com - (Linux Thin Client Solutions) www.LiveKiosk.com - (Web Access and Content Delivery Solutions) www.PublicWebStations.com - (Disaster & Shelter WebStation Software) www.K12OpenSource.com (Public Wiki) www.SupportBlogging.com (Public Wiki) -- Steve Hargadon steve(a)hargadon.com 916-899-1400 direct www.SteveHargadon.com - (Blog on Educational Technology) www.K12Computers.com - (Refurbished Dell Optiplexes for Schools) www.TechnologyRescue.com - (Linux Thin Client Solutions) www.LiveKiosk.com - (Web Access and Content Delivery Solutions) www.PublicWebStations.com - (Disaster & Shelter WebStation Software) www.K12OpenSource.com (Public Wiki) www.SupportBlogging.com (Public Wiki)

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Recorded Conversation with Robert Arkiletian about K12LTSP
by Steve Hargadon 28 Aug '06

28 Aug '06

A conversation with Robert Arkiletian who, in addition to teaching physics and computer programming at a secondary school in Vancouver, has created fl_TeacherTool, a program for K12LTSP installations which allows the teacher to view, control, broadcast to, and communicate with individual student desktops. We discuss the barriers in schools to implementation of Linux thin client and how he overcame them. Robert also describes in detail the features of fl_TeacherTool. Will only really be of interest to those working with LTSP or K12LTSP, or thinking of it. One of the most interesting things to me about the interview was Robert's description of how he was effective in getting approval for his Linux thin-client lab--and why many such labs have required an "inside" champion. He describes: 1. How helpful it was to show that if the lab didn't work out, the server he was going to purchase could be used for some other purpose; 2. How he set up his workstations as dual-boot machines, so that Windows could be used if there was dissatisfaction with Linux; 3. How helpful the K12OSN email list has been for technical support. These are options that only an "insider" can really effectively provide. But even as an "insider" at a school, and showing the tremendous cost savings, it can still be difficult to get approval for a Linux thin-client lab. I think, in large part, this is because Linux is unfamiliar, and it is unrealistic to think that schools will be willing to take the risk of trying a technology that is not well known. As more publicized installations of Linux take place in schools (Indiana, for example), and as Linux is seen as a viable desktop alternative, then the tremendous cost savings will then have an opportunity to become a compelling factor. It has been interesting to watch, however, how some schools have been able to overcome the barriers to implementation of Linux. I would argue that these are typically schools that just don't have the money for traditional computing resources, and have to look outside of the box through sheer desperation. At that point, I think they are somewhat shocked, and then pleasantly surprised, to find out how inexpensively they can provide basic productivity computing. I continue to be interested in the compelling story that is beginning to emerge more publicly related to computer use in schools: 1. Schools have spent a lot of money on computers, and had to cut other programs because of funding issues--now their computers are getting old and they're being asked to spend comparable amounts again; 2. Schools haven't seen academic improvement because of computers, and most students get limited time on computers each week; 3. Schools that have installed less glamorous, inexpensive computer solutions are able to give the students and teachers a more significant opportunity to integrate the computer into their curriculum; 4. Where the computer is able to be actively integrated into the curriculum, there is student and teacher enthusiasm, and there are reports of significant academic improvement. It should be interesting to see how this plays out. -- Steve Hargadon steve(a)hargadon.com 916-899-1400 direct www.SteveHargadon.com - (Blog on Educational Technology) www.K12Computers.com - (Refurbished Dell Optiplexes for Schools) www.TechnologyRescue.com - (Linux Thin Client Solutions) www.LiveKiosk.com - (Web Access and Content Delivery Solutions) www.PublicWebStations.com - (Disaster & Shelter WebStation Software) www.K12OpenSource.com (Public Wiki) www.SupportBlogging.com (Public Wiki)

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CUE.org (and NECC) Free and Open Source Software Session Submissions
by Steve Hargadon 21 Aug '06

21 Aug '06

The Computer Using Educators (CUE.org) annual conference is March 1-3, 2007 in Palm Springs, CA. We have been asked to re-create our large Linux thin-client lab again this year, and will hold concurrent speaker sessions on Free and Open Source Software in the lab. The deadline for normal CUE applications for speaking sessions is September 4th. HOWEVER, speakers in our Open Source Lab for CUE will be handled outside of their normal submission process and should be made directly to me. If you have already submitted a proposal for a session at CUE that you would prefer be done in the lab, please let me know so that we can flag that. We have also been asked to provide a lab/speaker venue for the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) in Atlanta next June. Those interested in speaking at NECC as part of our Open Source lab there should also contact me directly, and I will let you know the procedure for submitting proposals when you do. Both shows have expressed a great appreciation for the lab and will be including the speakers from our lab in their regular conference program. For my part, I am appreciative of the caliber of speakers that we have had, and thank those who have taken part. Please forward this message to anyone that you feel might want to take part in presenting on Free and Open Source software at either of these shows. Steve -- Steve Hargadon steve(a)hargadon.com 916-899-1400 direct www.SteveHargadon.com - (Blog on Educational Technology) www.K12Computers.com - (Refurbished Dell Optiplexes for Schools) www.TechnologyRescue.com - (Linux Thin Client Solutions) www.LiveKiosk.com - (Web Access and Content Delivery Solutions) www.PublicWebStations.com - (Disaster & Shelter WebStation Software) www.K12OpenSource.com (Public Wiki) www.SupportBlogging.com (Public Wiki)

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Moodle Interview: A Beginner's Guide, Plus Thoughts on Moodle and Open Source Software
by Steve Hargadon 18 Aug '06

18 Aug '06

Last night I interviewed Michelle Moore about Moodle, the open source learning management system (LMS) which has been so spectacularly popular. Michelle held three sessions on Moodle in our Open Source Lab at NECC 2006, and all three were packed. As we talked, I was reminded of the impact that Moodle is having in introducing free and open source software to the education market. Michelle tells the story of her husband, as a district technology director, saw Moodle change the whole story with regard to the use of open source software--previously, he had met resistance in implementing open source solutions, but with Moodle there was a huge push from the users to make it available. I would have to believe that this is, in part, because of the significant cost of the commercial alternatives. Using Moodle can save so much money that it probably opens doors just because of this. But many also consider Moodle to be superior to the commercially-available programs, and that has got to help! The interview was intended to provide an overview of Moodle from someone who is just learning about it for the first time. We do discuss the current patent issue toward the end of the interview. You can listen to the interview directly from the web at www.K12OpenSource.com/Interviews, or at our new EdTechLive.com website. Both sites also have links to download the .mp3 or .ogg files. -- Steve Hargadon steve(a)hargadon.com 916-899-1400 direct www.SteveHargadon.com - (Blog on Educational Technology) www.K12Computers.com - (Refurbished Dell Optiplexes for Schools) www.TechnologyRescue.com - (Linux Thin Client Solutions) www.LiveKiosk.com - (Web Access and Content Delivery Solutions) www.PublicWebStations.com - (Disaster & Shelter WebStation Software) www.K12OpenSource.com (Public Wiki) www.SupportBlogging.com (Public Wiki)

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Two Great Open Source Interviews from South Africa and Indiana
by Steve Hargadon 11 Aug '06

11 Aug '06

It's been a fun day! I started very early in order to be able to catch Hilton Theunissen in South Africa, who has led the tuXlab project to install Linux thin-client in 200 schools. Then late in the day Mike Huffman and Laura Taylor provided insight into the Indiana Affordable Classroom Computers for Every Secondary Student (ACCESS) program. (To download the mp3 or ogg files, go to http://www.K12OpenSource.com/Interviews.) These are both fascinating interviews, and along with the interview with the folks from Atlanta Public Schools last week, they are confirming a pattern that deserves some real exploration: high-priced, high-maintenance computers have led to relatively little actual student time in front of them (35 minutes a week per student in the case of Indiana, at a cost of $100 million a year!); low-cost computer solutions provide significantly more actual time in front of computers for students, and the result is dramatic engagement by students and teachers, and significant academic success (some measured and some expected). This is interesting to me, since I've lately been very aware that while the Windows, Linux, and Mac folks fight the battle of which OS is best, there is still a more fundamental and hotly-debated question with regard to computers in education: do they actually help students do better for all the money that is spent on them? What Atlanta and Indiana seem to show is that because it has been so costly to have computers in schools, they haven't been truly available enough for teachers or students to integrate their use into the curriculum. But in programs that are dedicated to cost-effectively getting the computers into the classrooms in sufficient quantity to impact education, the results are significant and exciting. And the "cost effective" part belongs to Linux and Open Source... This Thursday night (August 17), it's time to hear from "our favorite Moodler," Michelle Moore from remote-Learner.net. The one-hour interview will be broadcast live at 5:00 pm PDT / 8:00 pm EDT, and will also be available afterwards in recorded form. Links to join the live Skypecast, to leave questions, or to learn more are at www.K12OpenSource.com/Interviews<http://stevehargadon.blogspot.com/www.K12OpenSource.com/Interviews> . The following weeks I'll be interviewing Victoria Davis (Westwood Schools) and Adam Frey (Wikispaces) about Wikis, and Ruth Lutes and Ragavan Srinivasan (both from HP) about Open Source Licensing. To suggest future interview topics, or to contribute to the wiki, visit K12OpenSource.com. Today was also my first day flying solo--which included doing the sound editing and uploading... Wow. Hope you like them. From now on it should be a little easier! -- Steve Hargadon steve(a)hargadon.com 916-899-1400 direct www.SteveHargadon.com - (Blog on Educational Technology) www.K12Computers.com - (Refurbished Dell Optiplexes for Schools) www.TechnologyRescue.com - (Linux Thin Client Solutions) www.LiveKiosk.com - (Web Access and Content Delivery Solutions) www.PublicWebStations.com - (Disaster & Shelter WebStation Software) www.K12OpenSource.com (Public Wiki) www.SupportBlogging.com (Public Wiki)

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K12LTSP chroot Install Notes
by Warren Togami 09 Aug '06

09 Aug '06

Today we had a short conference call with Eric Harrison, Jim McQuillan, Scott Balneaves, Bill Nottingham and Greg DeKoenigsburg talking about what it will take to integrate LTSP to be an official part of Fedora. After we have the modifications to a Fedora chroot ready for booting K12LTSP thin clients, we will need to make wrap it into a convenient installer. I just talked with Jeremy Katz, head of our Anaconda installer team. He confirmed that it would be unacceptable for chroots to be built during initial install of the host system itself. It is best to do such activity in the actual running system where things can be more easily developed and debugged. He suggested that Anaconda in chroot mode is the best way to do this. It could be wrapped into either a firstboot module or a tool to run from the menu. K12LTSP chroot Installs ======================= 1) On any Fedora install, you can use yum groupinstall to pull in the K12LTSP infrastructure. *OR* Install from the K12LTSP distro cut which has the base system plus K12LTSP by default. The package that contains K12LTSP thin client image builder has both a GTK+ app, and module in /usr/share/firstboot/modules which runs anaconda with the desired options. 2) During firstboot it runs as one of the later steps. Optionally you can run it from the menu. 3) K12LTSP Thin Client image builder can install the chroot from any RPM packages. This means it could prompt for the K12LTSP or specific CD's containing what it needs, or network. 4) Post-install it flips whatever bits to make it into read-only init mode. Anaconda chroot mode ==================== hg clone http://hg.fedoraproject.org/hg/fedora/livecd--devel Fedora's LiveCD builder uses anaconda in chroot mode to build the image before it is made into an ISO. This is a good example to use for the K12LTSP thin client image builder. How to apply updates to chroot? =============================== We would need some kind of obvious (automatic?) thin client chroot updater. It would use existing tools, yum based. We need to balance automation for ease while avoiding breakage of user systems. How is this currently handled in Edubuntu? Warren Togami wtogami(a)redhat.com

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Jim McQillan / Eric Harrison / Atlanta Schools Interviews Available - Mike Huffman This Thursday
by Steve Hargadon 08 Aug '06

08 Aug '06

There are two webcast interviews now available to download from last week: Jim McQuillan and Eric Harrison on LTSP and K12LTSP; and Daniel Howard, William Fragakis, and Shawn Adams on the Atlanta Public Schools work with K12LTSP. Unfortunately, the sound wasn't as great on these recordings, but the topic material was awesome! MP3 FORMAT Jim and Eric: http://educationbridges.net/k12opensource/wp-content/uploads/k12opensource2… Daniel, William, and Shawn: http://educationbridges.net/k12opensource/wp-content/uploads/k12opensource2… OGG FORMAT Jim and Eric: http://educationbridges.net/k12opensource/wp-content/uploads/k12opensource2… Daniel, William, and Shawn: http://educationbridges.net/k12opensource/wp-content/uploads/k12opensource2… This Thursday night (August 10), I'll be interviewing Mike Huffman from Indiana, who will talk about his work on their INAccess program and the role that Linux is playing in that effort. The one-hour interview will be broadcast live at 5:00 pm PDT / 8:00 pm EDT, and will also be available afterwards in recorded form. Links to join the live Skypecast, to leave questions, or to learn more are at www.K12OpenSource.com/Interviews. The following weeks I'll be interviewing Michelle Moore (Remote Learner) about Moodle, Victoria Davis (Westwood Schools) and Adam Frey (Wikispaces) about Wikis, and Ruth Lutes and Ragavan Srinivasan (both from HP) about Open Source Licensing. To suggest future interview topics, or to contribute to the wiki, visit K12OpenSource.com. I'm sorry to say that Miguel Guhlin has had to reconsider his participation as co-host, and so for the time being I will be flying solo. Anyone interested in serving as co-host can email me directly. With Miguel's departure I intend to expand the show to include not only K12 Open Source topics, but will also include Web 2.0, educational technology, computer reuse, and some very specific interviews on Linux thin client. :) Steve -- Steve Hargadon steve(a)hargadon.com 916-899-1400 direct www.SteveHargadon.com - (Blog on Educational Technology) www.K12Computers.com - (Refurbished Dell Optiplexes for Schools) www.TechnologyRescue.com - (Linux Thin Client Solutions) www.LiveKiosk.com - (Web Access and Content Delivery Solutions) www.PublicWebStations.com - (Disaster & Shelter WebStation Software) www.K12OpenSource.com (Public Wiki) www.SupportBlogging.com (Public Wiki)

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Thursday Evening Interviews on K12 Open Source: LTSP and K12LSTP
by Steve Hargadon 02 Aug '06

02 Aug '06

For those interested in Linux thin-client technology, our webcast interviews on Thursday evening should be noteworthy. We'll be expanding our format for this week, and holding two interviews. The first, starting at 5:00pm PDT/8:00pm EDT will be with Jim McQuillan and Eric Harrison. Jim is the founder and project leader of the Linux Terminal Server Project (LTSP), and Eric is one of the lead volunteers for the prepackaged K12LTSP distribution. The second interview will start at 6:00pm PDT/9:00pm EDT and will include Daniel Howard, William Fragakis, and Shawn Adams to discuss the status and roll-out of Linux thin client in Atlanta Public Schools. Next week, August 10th, we interview Mike Huffman, the Special Assistant on Technology for the Indiana Department of Education, who will discuss the use of Linux and Open Source Software as part of their push for affordable classroom computers for every secondary student. On August 17th we'll be interviewing Michelle Moore from Remote Learning about the ever-popular Open Source program Moodle (and hopefully find out more about the new patent issue). Instructions on logging into the Skypecast and/or chatroom are on the web at http://www.K12OpenSource.com/interviews<http://www.k12opensource.com/interviews>. You can leave questions in advance for our guests at the links indicated in the schedule. The recorded interviews will be available as podcasts sometime on Friday. You can subscribe to the RSS feeds for the podcasts for the interview series using the link http://feeds.feedburner.com/k12opensourceaudiocasts. We hope you these interviews are of interest, and encourage your feedback and comments. -- Steve Hargadon steve(a)hargadon.com 916-899-1400 direct www.SteveHargadon.com - (Blog on Educational Technology) www.K12Computers.com - (Refurbished Dell Optiplexes for Schools) www.TechnologyRescue.com - (Linux Thin Client Solutions) www.LiveKiosk.com - (Web Access and Content Delivery Solutions) www.PublicWebStations.com - (Disaster & Shelter WebStation Software) www.K12OpenSource.com (Public Wiki) www.SupportBlogging.com (Public Wiki)

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education August 2006