Acceptance of OpenOffice.org (was Re: Gov't , economics and technology (was Re: METROCAST BLOCKS RESIDENTIAL E-MAIL))

[Jerry Feldman]

On Monday 13 March 2006 11:28 am, Randy Edwards wrote:
>  > So I'm thinking that maybe successful acceptance of OpenOffice.org
>  > requires us getting it into the school systems.
>
>    I agree completely.  And a complicating factor is that many computer
> "teachers" aren't really teaching computer sci or generic computing
> concepts, but instead they're teaching Windows and MS apps.  I've seen
> far, far too many teachers which, when confronted with a Mac or any app
> other than the standard one they use, will be absolutely lost.
>
>    The resistance I've found is not at the school board level.  Boards
> will query whether OOo or free software is popular enough in the
> "business world" to teach to kids (a semi-legit question), but the
> dollars and cents angle swings the board every time.  The actual
> resistance I've seen will come from the local computer teachers.  Add to
> that the "if it doesn't cost anything it can't be worth anything"
> assumption (heavily ingrained in the educational bureaucracy) and
> converting public schools is difficult.
The school systems are not teaching computer science, they are teaching 
computer usage. There are a few issues where we might be able to make some 
progress, at least with OO.o.
first, Microsoft Office licenses are expensive even for public schools that 
get lower prices. One could use the cost issue. But the business issue is 
very important because many businesses may require "MS Word, MW Exel" 
experience. 

The other problem is the teachers. In recent years, fortunately, many of our 
professional colleagues have changed their professions and are now 
teaching. But, historically, teachers are not the most knowledgeable people 
when it comes to computers. This will change in time. 

In any case, the focus of many of these schools is not so much training as 
is giving the students experience that they can document on a resume. 

-- 
Jerry Feldman <gaf at blu.org>
Boston Linux and Unix user group
http://www.blu.org PGP key id:C5061EA9
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