<p>Hmm, an interesting question Steven, I would have to throw my weight behind Peter<br>
</p><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a class="snap_shots" title="photo sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evaekeblad/356710639/"><img style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/166/356710639_6da4d3608d_m.jpg"></a><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a class="snap_shots" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evaekeblad/356710639/"><br>
</a><a class="snap_shots" href="http://www.flickr.com/people/evaekeblad/"></a></span></div>
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<br><br> 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.<br> <br> 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.<br> <br> 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.<br> <br> 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.<br> <br> If money can help mend our broken human spirit, it would be an investment worth inspiring for.<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">
2009/2/22 Peter Ruwoldt <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:ruwoldtp@gmail.com" target="_blank">ruwoldtp@gmail.com</a>></span><br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
Good fast network and servers<br>Multimedia projectors with speakers in each teaching space<br>Huge big fat pipe to internet<br>No limit to internet access data costs<br>Lots and lots of properly resourced and relevant educator training<br>
Appropriate levels of tech time<br>Strong systemic encouragement to use lots and lots of FOSS with students and teachers<br>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<br>
Notebook/netbook for all students and teachers<br>System improvements like access to wiki and other collaborative sorts of software that can be appropriately configured within the schools VPN<br><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">
2009/2/22 <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:stephen@melbpc.org.au" target="_blank">stephen@melbpc.org.au</a>></span><br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div><div></div><div>
Hi all,<br>
<br>
<br>
A quick survey .. regarding technology .. what would you and your school<br>
<br>
spend many bucket loads of money on .. right now .. technology related ??<br>
<br>
<br>
maybe, an unlimited, within reason, thankful ex-student bequest say :)<br>
<br>
just a very short list if you like, on or off list, and i'll collate :D<br>
<br>
tens+ million for technology related spending **now** for your school ??<br>
<br>
<br>
what?<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.edweek.org" target="_blank">http://www.edweek.org</a> American Technology experts are advising school<br>
officials to look closely at the new federal economic-stimulus package<br>
for indirect as well as direct sources of aid for technology projects.<br>
The $787 billion stimulus bill, signed into law last week, includes $650<br>
million for existing educational technology programs and opens additional<br>
opportunities to find money for such purposes as improved broadband<br>
access for rural schools and enhanced data-management systems."<br>
<br>
<br>
Eg all notebooks, touch screen iwbs & fast broadband in every classroom?<br>
<br>
just maybe, Kevin might need to spend more yet, quickly, let's be ready :)<br>
<br>
<br>
cheers,<br>
Stephen<br>
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</blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Free and Open education for all<br><br>Peter Ruwoldt<br>Grant High School<br>Hosking Avenue<br>MOUNT GAMBIER SA 5290<br><br>P. 08 87263128<br>F. 08 87250173<br><br><a href="mailto:ruwoldtp@granths.sa.edu.au" target="_blank">ruwoldtp@granths.sa.edu.au</a><br>
<a href="http://www.watiwara.com" target="_blank">http://www.watiwara.com</a><br>
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Year 7 - 10 IT Mailing List kindly supported by <br>
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<br>
<a href="http://www.vitta.org.au" target="_blank"> http://www.vitta.org.au </a> - VITTA Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association Inc</blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Roland Gesthuizen - ICT Coordinator - Westall Secondary College<br>
<a href="http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au" target="_blank">http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au</a><br><br>"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<br>