[Yr7-10it] netbooks being distributed to every year 5 and 6 studentin northern victoria primary schools

Thu Apr 2 18:11:51 EST 2009

hi Darrel,

thanks for the warning re. scratch - if that is the case then the shortage
of screen resolution does become quite important - scratch is one of my
favourite bits of software so I want that running properly, without bits
lopped off

just listened to the podcast between darrel and rob too, it's well worth a
listen IMO

On Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 4:18 PM, Darrel Branson <ictguy at gmail.com> wrote:

>  G’day Everyone,
> Sorry for being late getting in on this thread. I’m an advocate of
> opensource software in schools (moodle, drupal, firefox, etc) and the free
> scratch program (
> http://www.smsn.vic.edu.au/ictguy/index.php/scratch-resources/)
>
> Just be aware that, from memory, the 1024 px by 600px netbook screen
> resolution presents it’s share of problems. For example, Scratch wants
> 1024x768 to run. So the the bottom of the screen gets lopped off :(( And I
> couldn't find a solution on the scratch forums for Scratch on netbooks. Also
> for the above reasons, the netbook ships with kahootz version 2, because
> version 3 requires a greater screen resolution.
>
> We are working through other issues of drivers and software on a case by
> case basis. It’s early days, but I all I can say is that *the students are
> ready for ‘1 to 1’.* It will be interesting to see if both students and
> teachers maintain this initial enthusiasm.
>
> Rob Sbaglia and I recorded some of our initial thoughts on a podcast (not
> exciting stuff but may be of interest).
>
> http://www.smsn.vic.edu.au/ictguy/index.php/2009/03/22/ictguy0903-1-to-1-netbooks-with-doctor-rob/
>
> Kind Regards
> Darrel
>
> BTW I thought it would have been bold to do a linux netbook rollout but
> unfortunately Vic DEECD is very much an M$ shop. Performance is ok at the
> moment but time will tell if they suffer windows rot. And the performance of
> Windows Movie Maker and VISTA on low spec’d hardware will be interesting –
> I’ll try and keep you posted.
>
> -------------------------------
> Darrel Branson
> Ultranet Coach
> Sunraysia Mallee Schools Network
> http://www.smsn.vic.edu.au
> Blog http://www.smsn.vic.edu.au/ictguy
> email:branson.darrel.l at edumail.vic.gov.au
> skype: ictguy
> Ph:50235190 Fax:50231294 Mobile: 0408 231029
>
>
>
> On 25/03/09 11:15 AM, "Bill Kerr" <billkerr at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> thanks again Anne, for now I'll just post the software here for those who
> are interested, an interesting mix of proprietary and FLOSS
>
> Bruce Dixon goes back a long way, I think he was involved (through
> computelec) with the first laptop saturation programme at MLC Victoria,
> circa 1990, logo was the main software they used for a while - I went to
> their conference back then :-) Note that MSW Logo is on the list (developed
> by Brian Harvey, George Mills) - it's very powerful although last time I
> looked the interface is clunky - it has recently been adapted to the OLPC as
> well
>
> Also pleased to see Scratch, Gamemaker, GIMP  and some mind mapping
> software, although I have yet to check out that particular one yet
> (freemind)
>
> I'm still surprised that Vista is the OS given what I have heard about
> Vista (but no direct experience there)
>
>
> *Adobe Flash Player
> *Create and view animated content
> *Adobe Reader 8
> *Provides options for basic PDF viewing and comment-making
> *Adobe Shockwave Player
> *Displays web content that has been created by Adobe
> *Apple Quicktime
> *A multimedia framework capable of handling various formats of digital
> video, media clips, sound, text, animation, music and interactive panoramic
> images
> *Audacity
> *Open source software for recording and editing sounds
> *Blender
> *Open source, cross-platform suite of tools for 3D creation
> *CD Burner XP
> *Application to burn CDs and DVDs, including Blu-Ray and HD-DVDs
> *Cute PDF Writer
> *Create PDF files from any printable document, save PDF forms using
> Acrobat Reader, make PDF booklets, impose, rearrange pages and more
> *Debut
> *A simple, easy-to-use video recorder program that lets you capture files
> directly
> *DEECD Fonts Victorian Cursive
> *Downloadable electronic font of Victorian Modern Cursive script to make
> handwriting exercises, posters, crosswords, flashcards and other classroom
> resources on your netbook
> *DVD Flick
> *A simple DVD authoring tool
> *Free Mind
> *A Mind Mapping application
> *Gamemaker
> www.yoyogames.com <http://www.yoyogames.com>
> *
> Make exciting computer games, without the need to write a single line of
> code
> *GIMP
> *Stands for the GNU Image Manipulation Program and is a raster graphics
> editor used to process digital graphics and photographs
> *Google Picasa 3
> *Helps you organise, edit and share your photos
> *Google Sketchup
> *Create, modify and share 3D models
> *Irfan View
> *An image viewer and convertor that opens and edit images, as well as
> multiple media formats
> *Jahshaka
> *An open source video editing and effects application
> *Java runtime environment
> *Run Java applications
> *Kahootz V2
> *Create, explore and invent in 3D (V3 upgrade available soon)
> *Microsoft Internet Explorer
> *Web browser
> *Microsoft Office 2007
> *Word, Excel and PowerPoint
> *Microsoft Office Media Content
> *
> Includes the Microsoft Clip Organiser and a library of clip art and other
> media files that users can insert into Office documents
> *Microsoft PhotoDraw 2.0
> *Graphic software
> *Microsoft PhotoStory 3
> *Create multimedia video presentations using still images
> *Microsoft Producer for PowerPoint
> *Provides users with many powerful new features that make it easier to
> synchronise audio, video, slides and images to create engaging and effective
> rich-media presentations
> *Microsoft Silverlight
> *Delivers high-quality, interactive video across the web and mobile
> devices.
> *Microsoft Student with Encarta Premium
> *Encyclopaedia software
> *Microsoft Windows Media Player
> *Store and play music, video and pictures
> *Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise
> *Operating system
> *MonkeyJam
> *Create stop-motion movies
> *MSW Logo
> *
> Logo is a computer programming language <
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_programming_language>  used for
> functional programming <
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Functional_programming>
> *NVU
> *Create web pages with a program that does not require previous web
> editing knowledge
> *Paint.NET
> *Image and photo editing software for computers that run Windows
> *Scratch
> *Create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music and art
> *Symantec Client Security (anti-virus)
> *Anti-virus software
> *Tuxmath
> *Educational maths tutor for children starring Tux, the Linux Penguin
> *Tuxtyping
> *Educational typing tutor game starring Tux, the Linux Penguin
> *VLC Player
> *VideoLAN Client is a portable multimedia player for various audio and
> video formats
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Baird, Anne P <
> baird.anne.p at edumail.vic.gov.au> wrote:
>
> Hi Bill
>
> Here are a few responses to your queries...not as detailed as I would like
> but don’t have time at this stage. I’m very happy to try to answer more
> questions as they come up and will probably be asking a few myself...
>
>
>
> There is a wiki that has been set up to support the trial and you will find
> the answers to almost everything you have asked on it.
>
> Go to http://netbooktrial.wikispaces.com <
> http://netbooktrial.wikispaces.com>
>
>
>
> If you go to http://netbooktrial.wikispaces.com/Key+documents <
> http://netbooktrial.wikispaces.com/Key+documents>  and download the *Sample
> Policy document* and go to Section 10, you will find the list of software
>
>
>
> Students are allowed to download and install software and in almost all
> cases will have administrator rights. These are personal computers that can
> be used at home and at school. Students and teachers are being encouraged to
> manage the netbooks themselves and while we provide limited technical
> support we are trying to upskill students to take over as much of this
> management themselves. We do have a repair button on all the netbooks which
> means that as a last resort this will restore/repair the netbook to school
> settings in the instance of corruption or crashing. Students know about this
> but will only be asked to so this as a last resort.
>
>
>
> All students and parents sign an acceptable user agreement which clearly
> outlines appropriate and acceptable use. Individual incidences will be dealt
> with at a school level although of course we would offer advice if
> requested. Because the netbooks are to be a fundamental learning tool for
> students for the duration of the trial and hopefully beyond, long term
> confiscation of the netbook would only be in the most extreme of
> circumstances.
>
> The netbooks are self insured by DEECD but parents have to pay $100 excess
> for loss and non-warranty repairs. We have an agreement with Lenovo of a 3
> day turnaround on repairs.
>
>
>
> My understanding is that most of the initial work and forward planning has
> been done in conjunction with Bruce Dixon, Anywhere, Anytime Learning
> http://www.aalf.org/  as you have mentioned already. He has done
> preliminary work in 2008 with all stakeholders, principals and teachers
> involved in the trial  here and he has also presented to Year 7 teachers and
> principals from those schools this year. The netbooks will be going with the
> students to the secondary colleges next year.
>
>
>
> The eLearning Branch team has worked tirelessly to get all of this ready to
> go for the trial and they have done all of the work regarding the support
> documents that you see on the wiki.
>
>
>
> The vision is based on much of the work that Bruce Dixon has done and we
> are guided by the 21 Steps process as well as the Blueprint for Education
> and Early Childhood development. Far too big a topic for this reply though.
>
>
>
> Very little resistance so far and I would say overwhelmingly positive
> responses in the classroom and at the leadership level in schools. Having
> attended a few parent information evenings over the past few weeks, parents
> are generally positive however there are some concerns about the management
> and safety of internet access at home and at school. (parents are advised
> that students do not have to have internet access at home for the purposes
> of the trial, although if they already have broadband then the netbooks can
> be configured to access at home) I had one parent ask about internet
> addiction too. There are isolated incidences of parents who refuse to be
> involved. Some concern about kids carrying netbooks to and from school and
> being targettedKids are very excited and can’t wait to take them home.
>
> Ultranet coaches who have been instructed to focus on the netbook trial for
> this year are reporting a highly positive response by both teachers and
> students.
>
>
>
> Anne Baird
>
> Project Manager,
>
> 1 to 1 Netbook Trial
>
> Loddon Mallee Regional Office
>
> Havlin St East
>
> Bendigo 3550
>
> Ph. 54403107    Mob. 0417340276
>
>
>
> Wiki - http://teaching-with-technology.wikispaces.com/ <
> http://teaching-with-technology.wikispaces.com/>
>
> Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/anne_loves_pink/ <
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/anne_loves_pink/>
>
> My bookmarks - http://del.icio.us/annieb3525 <
> http://del.icio.us/annieb3525>
>
> Skype - annieb3525    Twitter - annieb3525
>
>
>
> *From:* yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au [
> mailto:yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au <yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au>]
> *On Behalf Of *Bill Kerr
> *Sent:* Tuesday, 24 March 2009 9:55 AM
>
> *To:* Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List
> *Cc:* lindsay.winen at woodvillehs.sa.edu.au; Simon Newbury
> *Subject:* Re: [Yr7-10it] netbooks being distributed to every year 5 and 6
> studentin northern victoria primary schools
>
>
>
> thanks for information, Anne
>
> software:
> I'd like to see a full list of the software installed, if possible (is
> there scratch, etoys, logo,  gamemaker, inform 7, inkscape, opera browser to
> display svg animations ?)
>
> wrt the users agreement:
> Are students allowed to install their own software? (it would seem
> difficult to prevent this)
> Are they allowed to install games, any restrictions here? (ditto)
>
> Some worst case scenarios, what happens:
> Are there any circumstances where some students would be banned from taking
> the computers home? (eg. repeated damage to machines)
> What happens when porn or other inappropiate material is found on the
> machines?
>
> consultants:
> Has AALF  involved in the process up until now? They recently presented in
> South australia
> http://www.aalf.org/
>
>
> educational philosophy:
> What is the big picture vision? Or is there one? (such visions do exist,
> eg. Papert, alan kay, greg whitby - catholic ed NSW has led the redesign of
> school architecture, see
> http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/21st-century-school.html)
>
> teachers:
> Has there been resistance? Teachers and the community in general has
> different attitudes to technology in general. Some see it as a potentially
> liberating force (I'm in that category), others as potential dangerous
> (dehumanising, anti social or time wasting), others see computers as just
> useful but limited tools). I would expect some resistance or reluctance at
> least but I suppose my real question is the perceived balance b/w those 3
> broad groups and how that evolves as the project evolves and runs into a
> variety problems which may or may not be solved.
>
>
> cheers
>
> On Tue, Mar 24, 2009 at 8:24 AM, Baird, Anne P <
> baird.anne.p at edumail.vic.gov.au> wrote:
>
>
>
> Hi Bill
>
> I am managing the netbook Trial in our region, Loddon Mallee, Victoria.
> (also Rob Costello's region) We have rolled out 4,400 netbooks to date which
> gives every Grade 6 student and 40% of Grade 5 students access to a netbook.
> All the Grade 6 students are leasing the netbooks from the schools and DEECD
> for $52 per year and will take them from school to home each day therefore
>  having 24/7 access. The netbooks are Lenovo S9s and come with an image that
> includes Vista as the OS, the MS suite of tools, Kahootz and a wide range of
> open source educational software. At the end of 3 years, parents/ students
> will have the option to buy the netbook with their final lease payment of
> $52. A total of $156.
>
> DEECD and the regions are providing a range of professional development
> opportunities for teachers in the trial. We are using a range of research
> strategies to assess and document the trial. There are three other regions
> who are participating in the trial as well. With the other two country
> regions  trialling with Grade 5 students. Our netbooks will go with the
> students to secondary college next year so we have the added challenge of
> supporting the Secondary teachers as well.
>
> I hope this helps and let me know if there is anything else you would like
> to know.
>
>
> Anne Baird
> 1-to-1 Netbook Project Manager
> Loddon Mallee Region
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Costello, Rob R
> Sent: Mon 3/23/2009 10:23 PM
> To: Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List
>
> Subject: RE: [Yr7-10it] netbooks being distributed to every year 5 and 6
> studentin northern victoria primary schools
>
> HI Bill
>
> its been on the cards for ages and seems finally official
>
>
> http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/public/ict/netbooks/netbook-parent-brochure.pdf
>
> i've seen the models  (or at least the same model and software image that
> one of the schools here had prepurchased) - Lenovo - i don't know the exact
> brand - 1.6 Ghz chip i think
> running vista and seemed suprisingly responsive
>
> afraid i'd choose them, and the software image, over the XO / OLPC sugar
> environment that might have indirectly influenced the design of the netbook
> market
>
> cheers
>
> rob
>
>  _____
>
> From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Bill Kerr
> Sent: Mon 3/23/2009 12:04 AM
> To: Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List
> Subject: [Yr7-10it] netbooks being distributed to every year 5 and 6
> studentin northern victoria primary schools
>
>
> netbooks being distributed to every year 5 and 6 student in northern
> victoria primary schools
>
> press release
>
> http://candybroadcountry.blogspot.com/2009/02/hi-tech-mini-netbooks-to-boost-learning.html
>
> brochure to parents (pdf)
>
> http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/public/ict/netbooks/netbook-parent-brochure.pdf
>
> Anyone have more information about this? I'm preparing a talk about the
> potential of netbooks for my school staff and for the CEGSA conference in
> July (I'll post my notes somewhere in due course, still at the research
> stage)
>
> --
> Bill Kerr
> http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/
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