Jim Klein on Open Source Learning 2.0

Jim Klein from Saugus USD has been promoting open source technology for several years.  I caught his talk at CUE a couple of years ago and almost ditched our Mac server system (he uses virtualized linux servers running OpenLDAP), but didn't feel I had the chops.  He started rolling out a 1700-netbook 1:1 program for his 4th grade and is now expanding it.  His software images are being used by several other school districts nationwide.

What Is the Technology For?

Start with a shared District vision: The goal is not how to integrate technology in the classroom. Instead, we should be asking the question, "What does it mean to be well educated in the 21st century?"

Saugus shared vision: Educating for "Life 2.0"

Lots of expected elements of what that means, but something you don't usually hear about: Embracing failure (science fairs, LEGO competitions, etc. show you can fail, but learn from it). Today's schools are too high stakes.

Netbook Setup

• Laptops are too fragile. Make sure to get 5-6 hours battery life. SSD reduces problems from dropping.
• TCO goal: Eliminate repair, support and software cost, so all you have to pay for is the hardware. $100/year/machine.
• Ubuntu desktop image with 20-30 software titles installed.
• UnionFS to partition user's space, then a partition with a locked system, and unlocked user changes to the system.  Students have sudo access to experiment however they please.  UnionFS allows you to restore on reboot.
• iTALC for monitoring and screen sharing of lab computers (equivalent to Remote Desktop). Can also do timestamped screen captures.

Parent Purchase Option

• District buys netbooks. They stay at school. 
• Parents have option to purchase their own, in which case students can bring them home. 
• Netbooks should be a school supply.

Shared Space

• Netbooks need to have a shared space for student work.
• Developed public custom version of Elgg. Additions to Elgg 0.6 to permit fine-grained access and moderation controls.  Not thinking of porting changes to latest Elgg version. Tarball available.
• Home page shows all blog posts with the big button. Tag cloud and tag use strongly encouraged.
• Students have avatars and with first names only for privacy. Parents and teachers should are able to read and comment on posts. As much content as possible is kept open to internet without login, but visibility of posts can be restricted by teacher.  Comments are moderated.
• Student oriented. No "teacher pages", no "class pages". Widen the community as much as possible.
• Facebook is an anti-school space, but the Elgg space follows the Facebook model of community.
• Administration (principal, counselor) use of blogs not very high right now.  Different culture than teachers and students.

Imaging

• 5 minute image install via USB key.  
• Teachers typically use Windows on full laptops, but have ported versions of the linux applications, and even a modified desktop that looks as much as possible as the netbooks'.

How It's Being Used

• Use podcasts at elementary level. 2nd grade students will rehearse podcasts for an audience.
• Student peer-to-peer contributions.
• "Cry for help" from student. Teachers are reading blogs on the weekend and evenings.
• Cross-grade-level collaboration.
• Summer work by students ("self-assigned").
• Summer reading blogs.  Voluntary, but every student participated.
• Non-academic posts are permitted.
• K-6 is heavily moderated. 7-8 medium moderation. 9-12 open.
• No private messaging.
• Can lock down individual accounts. Teachers responsible for account management.

Resources

• http://twitter.com/jnetman1
• http://community.saugususd.org/jklein
• Click on "wiki pages" link from Jim's page. Acceptable use policies for netbooks, for Elgg on Social Networking wiki page.