tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494584404832170200.post4858026653802990279..comments2023-02-09T06:23:10.522-08:00Comments on The Open EDge: Netbooks and Open Source: Rethinking Laptops and LearningAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04202772681382426841noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494584404832170200.post-5909604794200800152009-10-10T12:14:26.000-07:002009-10-10T12:14:26.000-07:00Excellent point, InnovativeEdu, bandwidth will und...Excellent point, InnovativeEdu, bandwidth will undoubtedly be an issue, although one that is manageable. We do a great deal of caching here with local proxy servers feeding from bigger central proxies in a cache hierarchy, which helps a lot. However, there is certainly a point where you will simply need more bits. That said, bandwidth is not something that requires a tremendous amount of ongoing maintenance - it's more "set it and forget it." Reinvesting some of the cost savings realized in software into short-term equipment costs, as well as strategic partnerships, taking advantage of state contracts, and E-Rate can help to reduce these bandwidth costs. Taking advantage of some of the open-source web applications (like your own "YouTube" server with OSTube or PHPMotion) and running them locally can also make a big difference.Jim Kleinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494584404832170200.post-22847829513144925222009-10-10T06:40:47.000-07:002009-10-10T06:40:47.000-07:00Your post is right on however, the third hurdle to...Your post is right on however, the third hurdle to jump is internet connectivity. That was another major issue in the 1:1 deployment I was involved in. How have you overcome that issue?InnovativeEdunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494584404832170200.post-26777002644280434932009-10-09T11:35:22.000-07:002009-10-09T11:35:22.000-07:00I couldn't agree more Jim...our implementation...I couldn't agree more Jim...our implementation of 512 netbooks running Linux and OpenSource tools off your image continues to run along smooth in our 5h grade classrooms. The analogy of cell phones and support is dead on. Configuration and support over the last year has been essentially configure and forget...in terms of the hardware. The real work is in helping teachers design instruction that capitalizes on the capabilities these tools bring to the classroom, but it does not take long for teachers to get creative when every student has the tool literally at their finger tips. Over the last year, the most support issues we've had (less than a dozen if I have to count them) have been handled over the phone with a simple re-image with the keyboard shortcut on restart. We have had two machines, of the 512, we had to send back for battery malfunctions and three that had damaged screens the result of over zealous little fingers. I'm just about to put the finishing touches on our next EETT ARRA grant proposal, and aside from hour of PD for our target teachers, we're planning to put in 740 more Linux netbooks! The best classroom technology, is not the kind that hangs on the wall or from the ceiling, it's the kind that's in students' hands! Keep up the good work!John Pattennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494584404832170200.post-71752770485994299652009-10-09T10:59:59.000-07:002009-10-09T10:59:59.000-07:00Jim: I appreciate SO much your continued sharing o...Jim: I appreciate SO much your continued sharing of the 1:1 and netbook journey you continue on with others in your school district. I remain torn about hoped-for ARRA funds in Oklahoma that might be used for 1:1 projects here. Netbooks have so much promise, yet I am scared to take the plunge and recommend that our schools do on a large scale yet. I grappled a lot last weekend with my Dell Netbook, and I fear schools will need more handholding than any of our Oklahoma vendors could provide if they scale a 1:1 with netbooks and open source. Yet I think you are absolutely right, we must look to the "unmanaged" technology solutions as those which can be most viable for ALL students. In Hong Kong, touring schools, I was struck by how those relatively expensive, international schools are havens for Apple and Mac products. What about netbooks, however? Who is REALLY interested in providing educational tools and learning experiences for ALL students? I'm not sure that's vendors. There are many good ones, but their bottom line still has to be their bottom line. I think Apple's failure to enter the netbook market in a serious way is a huge mis-step for them in education.<br><br>I am considering the path you're recommending, and I appreciate your continued thoughts along these lines which continue to shape my own thinking-- and the actions I'll be hopefully taking in upcoming months here in Oklahoma.Wesley Fryernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2494584404832170200.post-39624560223201172972009-10-09T10:54:27.000-07:002009-10-09T10:54:27.000-07:00hi jim. i certainly am thinking about how i want ...hi jim. i certainly am thinking about how i want to have access to technology in my classroom (secondary school). taking students out of the classroom environment into "the lab" isn't always desirable, and lab access is iffy at best and rarely chronological, which can make projects difficult. i've just come from uLearn09 (in new zealand, where i live), and netbooks seem like a very reasonable alternative to laptops: cheaper, more durable, and make using technology possible where it might not otherwise be.thanks for your article.Kellynoreply@blogger.com