While I agree that Linux is an excellent choice for computer science-related curriculums in higher education such as College and perhaps particular advanced High School courses, it is not a viable platform for lower level courses. Especially not 'kiddies,' at least not in the state Linux is in now (and in my opinion predictibly in the coming years).
Point 1: 90% of Administrators for School Computer Labs have absolutely no idea what's going on. They are usually teachers who just happened to be 'available' and knew how to force agonized children how to use Word and play Number Munchers. At least, when I was in high school I practically took over the computer labs in sheer ignorance of the people in charge (i.e. Lunchtime Quake Tournaments).
For people who do not have the ability to administer a Network-In-A-Box system, much less install Oregon Trail correctly, Linux would just be too much of a pain.:P I admit, perhaps many years from now it will have gotten to the point where installation and management is easy as a "Power On" button, but as things are looking now it will not happen, unless the interface for an educational Linux-target is reduced to a blatantly oversimplified GUI with Big Buttons.
Point 2: I really don't think many schoolkids *need* to learn fundamentals involved with Linux. By that I mean Middle School and High School. Of course I'm not taking the benefit of the doubt with all the snazzy Wired-up "Schools of Tomorrow" with insane PIII Computer Labs running Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego all day. But in any case, the curriculums should be more involved with basic fundamentals computer use. As in, how to make the Font bigger for that Report for English Class. Sure, maybe there'll be something Linux-flavored that does all this someday, but of course, there's the Ignorant School Admin Point #1.
Point #3: As it is, if a kid is interested enough in Linux or any other fangdangled technological whatchamahoozit, he most probably would have already done his own self-study into it, as I'm sure many people have done in the past during the boredom of secondary education.
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While I agree that Linux is an excellent choice for computer science-related curriculums in higher education such as College and perhaps particular advanced High School courses, it is not a viable platform for lower level courses. Especially not 'kiddies,' at least not in the state Linux is in now (and in my opinion predictibly in the coming years).
:P I admit, perhaps many years from now it will have gotten to the point where installation and management is easy as a "Power On" button, but as things are looking now it will not happen, unless the interface for an educational Linux-target is reduced to a blatantly oversimplified GUI with Big Buttons.
Point 1: 90% of Administrators for School Computer Labs have absolutely no idea what's going on. They are usually teachers who just happened to be 'available' and knew how to force agonized children how to use Word and play Number Munchers. At least, when I was in high school I practically took over the computer labs in sheer ignorance of the people in charge (i.e. Lunchtime Quake Tournaments).
For people who do not have the ability to administer a Network-In-A-Box system, much less install Oregon Trail correctly, Linux would just be too much of a pain.
Point 2: I really don't think many schoolkids *need* to learn fundamentals involved with Linux. By that I mean Middle School and High School. Of course I'm not taking the benefit of the doubt with all the snazzy Wired-up "Schools of Tomorrow" with insane PIII Computer Labs running Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego all day. But in any case, the curriculums should be more involved with basic fundamentals computer use. As in, how to make the Font bigger for that Report for English Class. Sure, maybe there'll be something Linux-flavored that does all this someday, but of course, there's the Ignorant School Admin Point #1.
Point #3: As it is, if a kid is interested enough in Linux or any other fangdangled technological whatchamahoozit, he most probably would have already done his own self-study into it, as I'm sure many people have done in the past during the boredom of secondary education.
Conclusion- I disagree.