Ed-Tech Policy

Initiative Pushes ‘Open Technologies’

By Laura Greifner — March 21, 2006 2 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

A new initiative spearheaded by the Consortium for School Networking aims to raise awareness among schools about so-called “open technologies,” software and computer operating systems with content and applications that have few or no licensing restrictions.

The value of open technologies, their proponents say, is that schools can modify or redistribute the applications or content for free, saving thousands of dollars in copying or licensing costs. (“Software Solution Saves Dollars,” Sept. 29, 2004.)

The K-12 Open Technologies Initiative—co-sponsored by the IBM Corp. and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation—kicked off this month at the Washington-based COSN’s annual school networking conference. COSN is a nonprofit organization that provides resources to school district technology workers.

“I think we’ve been seeing worldwide in all sectors, not just education, that open source is really changing the way that technology software and systems are delivered,” Keith R. Krueger, the chief executive officer of COSN, said in an interview.

Learn more about the new “open technologies” initiative of the Consortium for School Networking.

“COSN’s talking about a bigger trend,” Mr. Krueger said. “Educators need to think about their networks being more open. That involves open content as well as the network.”

Mr. Krueger cited the online encyclopedia Wikipedia as an example of open content. On Wikipedia, users can modify content or even add entries.

“Anyone can add value to what the product is,” Mr. Krueger said, referring to open content. “Kids and adults learn better when they teach. This is allowing them to take information and put it in their own language.”

‘Element of Risk’

Despite the benefits, many schools and districts have been slow to use open technologies.

“The number-one reason is a lack of awareness,” said James P. Hirsch, the associate superintendent for technology for the 53,300-student Plano, Texas, school district.

Other schools might be averse to using open technologies because there is nothing wrong with their current computer systems, said Mr. Hirsch, who is also on the COSN board.

“Why should I be looking for a different operating system when I’ve got one that’s reliable?” Mr. Hirsch said. “There’s an element of risk that I think would keep school systems from even considering this. Any time you look at a new product or service, it takes you out of your comfort zone.”

The multiyear, $200,000 open technologies initiative—now in what Mr. Krueger calls “the first phase”—also hosted an international symposium on open technologies March 8-9 at the World Bank in Washington. The symposium included speakers such as Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, and Martin Dougiamas, the founder of Moodle, an online, open-source course-management system.

Other plans for the initiative include an online broadcast about open technologies in education, scheduled for April 19 on www.cosn.org and a new Web site that COSN intends to launch this summer.

Although no statistics are available detailing how many districts are using open technologies, Mr. Krueger said that some 15 percent of school computer network servers are using Linux, an open-source operating system.

Still, he cautioned that open technologies are not necessarily meant to completely replace proprietary systems. Rather, he said, the two types of systems can be used in tandem or by the same user for separate functions.

“The idea is really to help educators who are starting to think about open technologies: How can you use this in a learning environment?” he said.

A version of this article appeared in the March 22, 2006 edition of Education Week as Initiative Pushes ‘Open Technologies’

Events

School & District Management Webinar EdMarketer Quick Hit: What’s Trending among K-12 Leaders?
What issues are keeping K-12 leaders up at night? Join us for EdMarketer Quick Hit: What’s Trending among K-12 Leaders?
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Artificial Intelligence Webinar
Teaching Students to Use Artificial Intelligence Ethically
Ready to embrace AI in your classroom? Join our master class to learn how to use AI as a tool for learning, not a replacement.
Content provided by Solution Tree
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Teaching Webinar
Empowering Students Using Computational Thinking Skills
Empower your students with computational thinking. Learn how to integrate these skills into your teaching and boost student engagement.
Content provided by Project Lead The Way

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Ed-Tech Policy Ed. Dept. Recommends These 3 Principles to Develop School Cellphone Policies
Cellphone policies should be developed in consultation with students, teachers, and parents, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said.
4 min read
Photograph of a white teen using a cellphone in the classroom.
iStock/Getty
Ed-Tech Policy Need Guidance on How to Avoid AI Pitfalls? New Resources Aim to Help Schools
The U.S. Department of Education has released new resources for schools on AI that include recommendations on some thorny issues.
4 min read
Photo illustration of teacher using AI for grading.
iStock
Ed-Tech Policy Opinion How to Become an Ed-Tech Visionary Without Really Trying
Beware of PR grifters eager to turn education pros into A-list-worthy celebs. (And read the fine print.)
4 min read
The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
Luca D'Urbino for Education Week
Ed-Tech Policy Should Schools Have Cellphone Restrictions for Teachers Too?
Schools expect teachers to model responsible cellphone use.
4 min read
Illustration of a young woman turning off her mobile phone which is even bigger than she is.
iStock/Getty