[Moodle] UltraNet - why not develop moodle ?

[Stephen Digby]

Re:  <http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24586362-2862,00.html>
Government to rework online plan
Herald Sun, Australia - Nov 1, 2008
Under the $60.5 million "ultranet" initiative, parents would be able to
check marks, assignments and attendance details via computer. ...

 

Governments around the world hate the concept of open source software even
when it has emerged from the creative minds of their own citizens.  Rather
than provide a potentially massive contribution to a shared resource for the
global educational community, they want to spend millions of citizen dollars
on reinventing the wheel.  "moodle" does most things required by the
"Ultranet".  It was developed in Perth and is now used worldwide.  It is the
most popular system in UK schools and widely used in Australia.  Even many
tertiary institutions are using it around the world.  Why not add extra
features to this flexible free Australian tool ?

Advisors seem to whisper in politicians eager ears:  "You will have total
control from purpose-built commercial software. If we contribute to open
source solutions, anyone will be able to benefit - even poor countries ! We
will design the Ultranet so well that everyone on earth will want to buy it.
We will make a profit !". The Australian State Education Department of
Victoria has an abysmal record of software development and management over
decades including the universally hated "CASES" system which all schools are
forced to use but whose features most schools avoid using wherever possible.
The attempt to contract out an "UltraNet" is only the last debacle. The
failed tender process provides another chance to support Australian
innovation and contribute to a shared international resource.  Let's take it
!

 

====================================================
Stephen Digby, Learning Technology Manager
mailto:  <mailto:digby.stephen.p at edumail.vic.gov.au>
digby.stephen.p at edumail.vic.gov.au  
Cheltenham Secondary College  <http://www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au>
www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au
Ph: 613 955 55 955  Fx: 9555 8617 Mb: 0431-701-028
====================================================
Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. Salvor Hardin in "Foundation
by "Issac Asimov

 

 


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