Is there anyone out there using or thinking about using Netbooks with Linux?
The industry is moving where the client device is less important, it is all about what you can access. If this is true, then netbooks and devices like the ipod touch are the path to ed tech future.
If so, what are your experiences and thoughts.
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2 comments:
John,
We aren't engaged with Netbooks, per se, yet. We have started discussions on using iTunes and the Lit 2 Go recordings in iTunes U, where the University of Central Florida teacher preparation program has stored a ton of K12 public domain poems, and children stories. We're looking at putting those on iPods for early reading interventions for children to take home and listen to. Apparently young one's need to hear a lot of phonemes to start connecting speech and reading. We've also been playing with Project Guttenberg on iPod Touch's. So yes, digital content is coming and textbooks are dying - for the first time in PVUSD's history, our board just rejected their first textbook adoption - they told us, put in more technology and then bring it back. Hmmmh.....
A telling TED video on the concept is found at:
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/richard_baraniuk_on_open_source_learning.html
We just received 3 Dell Mini to test the netbook idea. I have to say I am very impressed. 2 are running Ubuntu, and 1 is running Windows XP.
The Ubuntu came preloaded with productivity software and education software, so you could start using it right away. The Ubuntu interface is super attractive.
Windows XP came with the base system, so we will have to install our software.
We have used our web based applications on both devices, such as Brain Pop, with no problems.
At about $300 a pop, these are great devices. We could triple the amount of computers accessible to students with these.
Definitely worth exploring more. I will try to get this in the hands of some classrooms. So far, when I demo them, I have had nothing but great feedback from the District staff.
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