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Perfect fit here Free Software and Education

Story: Teachers Union Turns to Open SourceTotal Replies: 2
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PaulFerris

Jan 25, 2005
8:10 AM EST 		I've said it before quite a few times that Free Software should be at the forefront of education -- I just hope they make the concept something that directly affects the kids. Like, they learn Linux and some programming concepts on a Unix like system ahead of stuff like how to make word documents and draw pretty pictures.

The thing is that proprietary software rarely includes the programming languages that a typical Linux distribution -- it's more a system that's made to do just one task, not one that's made to extend something. Take that away from a young mind and the possibilities get rather limited for what you can do in the future. A lot of people would argue that only one in a thousand kids will ever end up writing a program in their lives.

I would argue that if they never know, the number of kids that realize this potential will be smaller still -- and that it's that one in a thousand kid that needs the exposure to Free Software the most.
tuxchick

Jan 25, 2005
11:02 AM EST 		yeah, most "computer education" in schools is raising up a generation of good little office worker bees, rather than the next generation of programmers and network administrators.
PaulFerris

Jan 25, 2005
11:53 AM EST 		How are you going to cook if the recipes are hidden and the stove locked away?

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