Free software in Education @Valmiera
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1) Free and open source software provides benefits for teaching and learning such as being cost-efficient, scalable, portable, and encouraging cooperation in creating materials and designing learning processes. 2) However, most teachers do not use free software in classrooms as they lack time to learn it and focus on everyday teaching. 3) The biggest obstacle is getting accustomed to free software as an environment of participation and responsibility, which takes time. Students should be exposed to free software from an early age to grow up as digital citizens.
![Reminder: What is Free and Open Source
Software
It is not just the software you download for free (and it
doesn't have to be given away for free)
Free software as defined by Free Software Foundation from
perspective of user's rights on software:
To run software [R0]
To study and modify software [R1]
To redistribute software [R2]
To redistribute with modifications [R3]](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/valmiera-121207075328-phpapp02/85/Free-software-in-Education-Valmiera-4-320.jpg)
Free software in Education @Valmiera
- 1. Benefits of Free and Open Source Software in Teaching and Learning 12/7/2012 Valmiera M辰rt P探der <p6der@ut.ee> Tartu University Philosophy teachers program Estobuntu developer and free software campaigner
- 2. My involvements IT background, academic education in philosophy and teaching Leaded workgroup for philosophy in development of 2010 national curriculum Helping UNESCO Estonian commission organizing annual philosophy day events and software freedom day events Developing free software operating system Estobuntu and promoting the use of it in schools Campaigning for better support of free software in state services (ID card, document formats etc)
- 4. Reminder: What is Free and Open Source Software It is not just the software you download for free (and it doesn't have to be given away for free) Free software as defined by Free Software Foundation from perspective of user's rights on software: To run software [R0] To study and modify software [R1] To redistribute software [R2] To redistribute with modifications [R3]
- 5. UNESCO Support from 2001 ...supporting the development and use of open, interoperable, non-discriminatory standards for information handling and access as important elements in developing effective infostructures that contribute to democratic practices, accountability and good governance. http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and- information/access-to-knowledge/free-and-open-source- software-foss/
- 6. In 2010 Finally in Estonian National Curriculum!
- 7. 1. Optional subject: Informatics 1.1. General Provisions 1.1.2. Description of the Subject 6. free software and open content: wherever possible, free software and content with flexible licenses are preferred over proprietary software and copyrighted content; 1.1.4. Physical Learning Environment 7) computers with different operating systems (for instance, in addition to MS Windows, Mac OS or Linux);
- 8. Obvious Benefits for Teachers and Administration Cost-efficient if done right Scalability, portability, interoperability etc For teaching as well as administration Localisations and translations (can develop terminology) Encourages cooperation in creating materials, designing learning processes (if people involved are informed of possibilities)
- 9. Real Life Most of teachers don't use free software in classrooms They have no time to get used to it, they need to deal with their everyday teaching Amount of the teachers at some timepoint explain students about free software (some of them don't mind the difference from freeware) Some teachers are enthousiasts and have introduced their schools to free software
- 10. Biggest Obstacle Getting used to free software as an environment of participation and responsibility inherent to healthy information society. It takes time for digital citizens to ripen. One should be accustomed to free software ecosystem already from elementary school. Rights and freedoms in digital sphere should be given much more attention (from privacy concerns all the way to software freedom).
- 11. For Learners' Sake: Growing Up Digital Citizens Knowing their digital rights and freedoms students gain control over their digital selves Using, feedbacking and modifying free software gives students hands on experience with real software Free software is entry point to job market, free software CVs (like GitHub profile) can replace regular Cvs Practice in real projects with experienced developers for free and for the good of society (values dimension) Democracy and transparency: most software produced by and for public administration should be public, i. e. free software with open source code
- 12. What Are We Trying To Do About It? Free software enthousiasts prepare Estobuntu Linux (from their free time with some donations and servers provided by IT college) UNESCO local commission is starting to organize events to explain software and other digital freedoms for the schools in their networks Informatics teachers association is planning to hold next conference on free software in ICT There might be some projects led by European Free Software Foundation to inform teachers One day a free software enthousiast may write a project to get some real resources to improve the situation
- 13. Role models? National ID card software is free software in a most elementary sense.
- 14. Where Are We Failing? Commercial entities can lobby for their interests much more persistently and we need more help from state administration to keep free software a viable alternative in Estonia (in schools as well as other institutions/situations).