[Opensource] chasing the latest and greatest

[Roland Gesthuizen]

I recall watching a fascinating 1 hour Google Video
presentation<http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6127548813950043200&q=paradox+of+choice>last
year where Barry Schwartz briefly
described a "paradox of choice" that contributes to poor decisions. When is
good enough, fair enough? Does doubling the software features, processor
speed or even software cost equate to twice the learning? At what point
should schools stop chasing the latest and greatest?

Good to see the a Department of Education that is at least taking things one
step at a time and considering the reasons for upgrades. I wonder if they
might now also consider why every student needs to have the latest and
greatest version of Office 2007 on their desktop when there are some good
alternatives around or even a hybrid mix that might suit their needs?

Money saved could then go back into the school system, new hardware or
teacher training; an investment that is directly returned to the local
community.

Regards Roland

On 18/06/07, Cameron Bell <bell.cameron.p at edumail.vic.gov.au> wrote:
>
> That is so contrary to most IT teachers thinking. I had a real battle at
> a previous school where the IT Coordinator insisted that the latest
> software be purchased at all times. As far as I was concerned the $ for
> the new software was the only visible cost. What about the $ that had
> been spent on manuals, books, PD, etc etc for the old package?
> I was about teaching processes, concepts, he was about teaching the
> software and wanting to be at the bleeding edge for bragging rights at
> conferences.
> Cheers
> Cameron
>
> Roland Gesthuizen wrote:
> > I read that the NSW department of Education has decided to stick it
> > out a bit longer with MS Windows XP, holding off a decision to upgrade
> > to Vista. This comment was also interesting:
> >
> > "I'm honestly of the opinion that we don't need the latest and
> > greatest of everything," Mr Wilson said. "It doesn't always represent
> > the best value for money because you're always paying more for the
> > latest and greatest."
> > http://australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,21898449-15306,00.html
> >
> > Regards Roland
> >
> > --
> > Roland Gesthuizen - ICT Coordinator - Westall Secondary College
> > http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au
> >
> > "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
> > change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has."
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-- 
Roland Gesthuizen - ICT Coordinator - Westall Secondary College
http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead
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