[Yr7-10it] windfall school tech spending list

[Roland Gesthuizen]

Hmm, an interesting question Steven, I would have to throw my weight behind
Peter
 <http://www.flickr.com/photos/evaekeblad/356710639/>
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If my school was given a big pot of money to spend to improve the access and
availability of technology. Would I be happy? I suppose that I would be, but
only up to a point. I have been down this path

The annual salary of a teacher in our Cambodia sister school is less than
the cost of a typical software package. I will admit to considerable guilt
that some of our well intentioned 'initiatives' cost more than the
educational budget of a small, third world nation .. yet we cry poor.

Our growing eco-footprint puts shame to efforts at reducing greenhouse
emissions. We avoid retrofitting our schools to improve efficiency because
of the cost whilst filling them up with more and more technology. We pretend
we are preparing students for the world of tomorrow whilst forgetting about
the world we leave them, foolishly investing research in unproven coal
technology instead of implementing proven solar options, sending our surplus
computer hardware to landfill instead of recycling .. yet we cry for lack of
leadership.

In India already, impoverished communities are leapfrogging over desktop
computers for handheld devices but in ways that would suprise you all. The
thing that will make the biggest impact for these teachers and communities
are cheap, portable communication (mobile phones) and FOSS technologies. We
could so easily do the same .. yet we cry ignorance.

If we are going to be truly global citizens, we need to lift our gaze beyond
our school fence and become inspired with a vision that is greater than just
deploying the latest and greatest plaything.

If money can help mend our broken human spirit, it would be an investment
worth inspiring for.

2009/2/22 Peter Ruwoldt <ruwoldtp at gmail.com>

> Good fast network and servers
> Multimedia projectors with speakers in each teaching space
> Huge big fat pipe to internet
> No limit to internet access data costs
> Lots and lots of properly resourced and relevant educator training
> Appropriate levels of tech time
> Strong systemic encouragement to use lots and lots of FOSS with students
> and teachers
> Systemic use of FOSS tools and projects so that the system employs
> programmers to customise and develop appropriate FOSS software for schools
> and so also supports the development of the IT industry in our country
> Notebook/netbook for all students and teachers
> System improvements like access to wiki and other collaborative sorts of
> software that can be appropriately configured within the schools VPN
>
>
> 2009/2/22 <stephen at melbpc.org.au>
>
>>  Hi all,
>>
>>
>> A quick survey .. regarding technology .. what would you and your school
>>
>> spend many bucket loads of money on .. right now .. technology related ??
>>
>>
>> maybe, an unlimited, within reason, thankful ex-student bequest say :)
>>
>> just a very short list if you like, on or off list, and i'll collate :D
>>
>> tens+ million for technology related spending **now** for your school ??
>>
>>
>> what?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> http://www.edweek.org American Technology experts are advising school
>> officials to look closely at the new federal economic-stimulus package
>> for indirect as well as direct sources of aid for technology projects.
>> The $787 billion stimulus bill, signed into law last week, includes $650
>> million for existing educational technology programs and opens additional
>> opportunities to find money for such purposes as improved broadband
>> access for rural schools and enhanced data-management systems."
>>
>>
>> Eg all notebooks, touch screen iwbs & fast broadband in every classroom?
>>
>> just maybe, Kevin might need to spend more yet, quickly, let's be ready :)
>>
>>
>> cheers,
>> Stephen
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>
>
>
> --
> Free and Open education for all
>
> Peter Ruwoldt
> Grant High School
> Hosking Avenue
> MOUNT GAMBIER  SA  5290
>
> P. 08 87263128
> F. 08 87250173
>
> ruwoldtp at granths.sa.edu.au
> http://www.watiwara.com
> _______________________________________________
>  http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
> Year 7 - 10 IT Mailing List kindly supported by
>  http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment
> Authority and
>  http://www.vitta.org.au - VITTA Victorian Information Technology Teachers
> Association Inc




-- 
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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