The Open Source 1:1 Classroom (Part 1)
So, I keep saying "we're back", but then I fall of the wagon again. One day, I'm going to update my blog, and I'll actually keep updating it. So, here is my next attempt at trying to maintain a blog. My goal is to update the blog daily, but somehow, I think weekly is more accurate.
Anyway, here's my first post. It's a bit more "techy" than most of my posts - geared more towards the tech people than the teachers. Teachers - read it! It's all free software that you should be pushing your tech department to be using. 8 months ago, I was approached by my principal and technology director, and informed that my school would be going 1:1 with netbooks in the third quarter. After looking at different hardware options, we eventually settled on the Dell Latitude 2100 netbook.We liked this model because it has nearly full-size keyboard (it's very easy to type on). It's also got a decent screen, and really good battery life. It's got a rubberized exterior which proved to be good at absorbing it's share of bumps and bruises. The white light which indicated wireless activity, as well as the nameplate on the battery proved to be nice extras.
At any rate, it was time for me to look at the software packages that I would be using for the implementation. The computers, by default, ship with Windows 7 or with no operating system (I think Dell may also have a variety of Ubuntu Linux). I wanted something easy to support, easy to use. There is also an open question about sustainability. Purchasing a license for Microsoft Windows 7 and Microsoft Office 2007 (now 2010) would add approximately $100 to the cost of each machine. So, now I was on a quest - could a 1:1 program be implemented, which only uses free or open source software. The answer is a resounding YES. The program was a huge success, and the software worked exceptionally well. So, here is a list of software which is completely free, easy to use, and works well (along with some tips and tricks):
Operating System: Ubuntu Linux: Netbook Remix
UNR is a variant of the Ubuntu Linux distribution which is designed for use on Netbooks. Instead of a desktop, there is a large, menu-driven interface. It's very easy for students to navigate and find things, and ditches the need for desktop icons, etc. All of your open applications are neatly stacked along the top, along with volume controls and wireless. When put before students, they grasped the navigation and use of the system pretty quickly, and were in to applications before I finished explaining it. The only thing - make sure they know how to close programs (the "X" on the tab), and how to get back to the desktop (the very first icon in the upper left corner). Once you have linux installed, go to System and Synaptic Package Manager. Install the following tools which you will need:
- openjdk-jre (Java runtime for Java apps)
- flashplugin-installer. This is the plugin you will need for Adobe Flash Player (enables YouTube, Vimeo, Hulu, and Flash-based websites)
- edubutnu-secondary and edubuntu-tertiary (adds a bunch of educational programs including KStars and Kalzium)
- openssh-server (this is only if you know what you are doing with Linux. Openssh will allow you (and only you) backdoor access to the machine, so you can pull files, do some basic monitoring, etc)
- VLC is the most awesome media player ever. It plays every media file you will throw at it. If you are going to be using a FLIP camera, this is a must.
- gimp is a free program that functions like PhotoShop. It's really powerful, probably too much so for everyday use, but your graphic artists will really be able to get a lot out of it.
- PiTiVi is a video editing program to edit videos created on a FLIP camera or other source. It's too resource intensive for netbooks, so if you are using Netbooks, I'd recommend the web-based JayCut instead.
- Scribus is an open source Desktop Publishing program. There isn't anything for Linux that gives you the "comfort" of MS Publisher or Apple's Pages, but this is the best of the litter.
- gstreamer0.10-ffmpeg, gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad, gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad-multiverse, gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly, gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly-multiverse. Despite these ominous sounding names, these are a great set of plugins, allowing you to play a wide variety of different media types your students may encounter.
Monitoring Software: iTalc
One of the "must haves" for a successful 1:1 program is the ability to monitor and remotely control student laptops. None of the commercial alternatives have Linux versions. However, iTalc is a free alternative which (for the most part) works just as well. Using iTalc, you can monitor, remotely control, and remotely lock student computers. You can also remotely lock student computers, though this doesn't always work. The one thing that you need to plan for. You need to generate encryption keys (both a public and private key), and copy this key to each additional computer where you install iTalc (this can be done in your image). The iTalc wiki can tell you about this. Also, there is no "discovery" function, so you need to name the computer something which can be easily distinguished by student. Linux tip: you can rename a computer by editing the file /etc/hostname as an admin user. I named each machine the ID number of the student who was issued the machine. This slowed turnaround time on switching out computers to students (I had no "ready spares"), but made it easy for teachers to set up and to identify which laptop belonged to which students.
Other Learning Tools
- Google Earth: Goes without saying. On netbooks, it's a bit choppy, but there are great lessons to be had with any subject area here.
- GeoGebra is a great alternative to Geometer's Sketchpad. It has all of the features found in GSP, and even a few that aren't.
- Skype is a great tool for instant communication. Some teachers are still antsy about using this tool, but there is certainly potential for it's use in the classroom.
- Alice and Scratch are two tools to teach computer programming. If you teach computer programming these are great tools to use. If not, this is still a good choice for interested students.
In part two, we'll look at file storage, imaging, and configuration options for these computers! Stay Tuned!
