Open source software to assist lower socio economic

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ABSTRACT

As many areas in America are rapidly losing funding for technological advances in education, we as educators have to be innovative. The Republic of Macedonia is utilizing Edubuntu in all primary and secondary schools for a program titled Computer for Every Child which started in 2008. Open Source Software (OSS) could be the answer in providing lower socio economic schools a competitive edge to continue to compete for a technological standpoint. OSS is software developed in a collaborative and public environment. OSS is freely available software that is generally under the GNU General Public License (GNU GPL). With this license there is never a charge however any modifications must follow the associated license with the software. This research is to provide an alternative solution to resource limited schools and ensure the competitiveness of American children as our society becomes more global.

INTRODUCTION

This paper is part of a larger study on methods for creating the educational environment of the future. Edubuntu, which is one of the most well known OSS education packages, shall be utilized as the OSS of choice for implementation in the school system. This software package shall be deployed in a school with the deemed minimal technological resources. This study shall take place within the metros of Huntsville, AL, Montgomery, AL, and Saint Louis, MO. This study shall last over the duration of approximately half a year. The expectation is that this study shall change the way we as educators view OSS and use this technology to lower overall operating costs while raising the level of competency.

In lower socio economic areas there is a lack of technology being used in the classroom. Due to constantly cut budgets how can technology be implemented in the classroom environment?

PROBLEM

Edubuntu is an Operating Systems (OS) that is distributed as free and Open Source Software (OSS).

This OS holds a global usage of more than 12 million users.

EDUBUNTU

Utilizes the Gnome 3 environment.

Edubuntu is a GNOME based subproject and add on for Ubuntu, which is designed for school environments and home users.

EDUBUNTU

Ability to monitor the following:

• Instant messages• Email• Browser history• Time on computer

CHILD MONITORING

LibreOffice Writer is the word processor in LibreOffice, with similar functionality and file support to Microsoft Word or WordPerfect. It also can act as a basic WYSIWYG editor.

LibreOffice Calc is the included spreadsheet program, similar to Microsoft Excel or Lotus 1-2-3. It has a number of unique features, including a system which automatically defines series of graphs, based on information available to the user.

LibreOffice Impress is the presentation program in the suite, resembling Microsoft Powerpoint. Presentations can be exported as SWF files, allowing them to be viewed on any computer with Adobe Flash installed.

LibreOffice Base is the software's database management program, similar to Microsoft Access. LibreOffice Base allows the creation and management of databases, preparation of forms and reports that provide end users easy access to data. Like Access, it can be used as a front-end for various database systems, including Access databases (JET), ODBC data sources, and MySQL or PostgreSQL.

LibreOffice Draw is a vector graphics editor and diagramming tool similar to Microsoft Visio and comparable in features to early versions of CorelDRAW. It provides connectors between shapes, which are available in a range of line styles and facilitate building drawings such as flowcharts. It also includes features similar to desktop publishing software such as Scribus and Microsoft Publisher.

LibreOffice Math is an application designed for creating and editing mathematical formulae. The application uses a variant of XML for creating formulas, as defined in the Open Document specification. These formulas can be incorporated into other documents in the LibreOffice suite, such as those created by Writer or Calc, by embedding the formulas into the document.

LIBRE OFFICE

ENGINEERING

U M L M O D E L I N G T O O L S S W E E T H O M E 3 D

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

SchoolTool is a student information system for primary and secondary schools around the world, supporting modules for demographics, gradebook, attendance, calendaring and reporting, as well as a framework for building customized applications and configurations for individual schools or states.

SCHOOLTOOL

Edulinux

Debian-Edu

Fedora Education Spin

Guadalinux-Edu

OpenSuse-Edu

UberStudent

OTHER OSS ALTERNATIVES/IMPLEMENTATIONS

ANY QUESTI

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