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Hawaii Puts Old Computers To Work in Linux Labs

Posted by michael on from the wearing-flipflops-until-age-18 dept.

johnp pastes "'As pressure mounts to meet state-mandated educational technology standards, some Hawai'i schools with limited budgets are getting updated computer labs at a fraction of the typical costs.'"

3 of 168 comments (clear)

  1. not terribly surprising... by Daniel+Ellard · · Score: 4, Insightful
    When you compare "commercial off-the shelf" prices for computers and software with prices of "recycled" computers and free software, of course you're going to see a big difference.

    A more interesting question is total cost of ownership; i.e. how much money this really saves over the long run (factoring in things like the fact that the PTA is probably giving the schools grief because the students are learning Office or similar skills that will help them get jobs... believe me, this happens). I'm sure someone has opinions (and hopefully data) related to that.

    An even more interesting questions is why our schools aren't adequately funded...

    --
    Disclaimer: I work for a company, but I don't speak for them.
    1. Re:not terribly surprising... by essence · · Score: 4, Insightful

      An even more interesting questions is why our schools aren't adequately funded...

      Maybe because most politicians are owned by corporates. And they only want the upper classes to get good education through private schools - therefore cut funding to public education.

      oh, and maybe if so much money wasn't spent on the military and prison systems, there would be plenty left for schools (and hospitals).

  2. learning applications, or learning skills? by ChristTrekker · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You can learn concepts of point-and-click, copy-and-paste, desktop metaphor, and most importantly how to use a help system on any OS. Schools that take the perspective of "we have to teach them system X because that's what they'll use in the 'real world'" are thinking wrong. Teach kids how to think not just which widgets to click.

    And if they weren't screwing around in HyperCard on a Mac they'd be screwing around in Solitaire on in Windows. HyperCard may not be an application used in business today, but the kids learned some skills that can be applied elsewhere. If the teachers stressed that aspect of it, the kids will be OK.

    --

    Constitutionally Correct