Re: [SLUG] operating systems and schools

[Terry Collins <terryc@nospam.woa.com.au>]

Danny Yee wrote:
> 
> David wrote:
> > It doesn't relate. I would have thought that a private school
> > is more likely to use a little thought about it, and teach
> > linux as well as doze. Most people take the line of least
> > resistance, which means windows.
> 
> I was thinking more that public schools are free public infrastructure,
> available to all (like Linux), whereas private schools are restricted
> paid access...
> 
> I wasn't actually thinking of computer use in schools at all!

True, it is nothing like GnuLinux/Open Source and MS Borg.

If you look back through the SLUG list archives, you will see that it
is the private schools that most sluggers seem to be working with to
trial linux solutions.

Simple answer - the private schools run their own show and can make
their own decisions and they want more from the school experience. So
they can expect a higher level of commitment from teachers, students
and parents, which makes their schooling more successful. (although I
can tell you that Knox can still turn out some real dunder heads).

Public education is actually managed by a pile of clerks who probably
left school in high school and progressed by seniority through the
dept. Like most teachers have very little experience of life outside
schools, most of these clerks have no experience of what is required
of teachers. all they remember is what they think happened quite a few
decades ago in schools.

Even some of the teachers, who teach teachers are rather stupid. SWMBO
was reminding me of how bad some of her special training was. The
instructor thought it was okay for the "teacher students" to break
down and cry from the frustration and unrealistic explanations. the
instructors could see nothing wrong with this.

If similar expectations were placed on Slug members, you would ALL be
expected to start training now and win gold in the 100 metres sprint
later this year.

Private education will try new ideas. Public education does not
evolve, but  exceedingly slowly. Did you ever see the adds for
Technology Advisors at ERCs (educational resource centres)? Sounded
like an ideal opportunity for people with computing skills to teach
computing to teachers and open their eyes a bit. NO WAY - they just
offered a year off face to face teaching for the existing computer
literate teachers to act as help desk personnel for secretarial staff
and teachers in schools for the windblows systems.


Gee Danny - I gather there was nothing on TV tonight that you were
interested in watching {:-)

--
   Terry Collins {:-)}}} Ph(02) 4627 2186 Fax(02) 4628 7861  
   email: terryc@nospam.woa.com.au  www: http://www.woa.com.au  
   WOA Computer Services <lan/wan, linux/unix, novell>
   snail:  PO Box 1047, Campbelltown, NSW 2560.

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