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

Wed Mar 25 16:48:26 EST 2009

G¹day Everyone,
Sorry for being late getting in on this thread. I¹m 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 it¹s 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. It¹s early days, but I all I can say is that the students are
ready for Œ1 to 1¹. 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-net
books-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 spec¹d hardware will be interesting 
I¹ll 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 don¹t have time at this stage. I¹m 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 can¹t 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] 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-br
>> ochure.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-br
>> ochure.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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