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

[Christopher Chisholm]

Having recently finished with school myself, I can tell you first hand 
that many computer courses are focused around usage of certain 
applications rather than a more general understanding of concepts.  I 
agree completely that many teachers are used to their Microsoft products 
and don't know anything else.

In my mind, the solution is to get school systems to try products like 
Open Office concurrently with their standard Microsoft packages.  In 
this way, teachers could have time to get familiar with open office and 
still have MS stuff to fall back on. 

Besides, anyone who knows MS Office should REALLY be able to figure out 
OOo. 

-chris



Jerry Feldman wrote:
> 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. 
>
>