Setting up a campus server

Hardware

A simple entry-level Intel server based machine should suffice for a normal sized institution with around 200 active users.

Server software
My favorite server software is Ubuntu server. Ubuntu Server Edition is becoming the platform of choice in the server market. In less than five years since its launch, Ubuntu Server now powers over 400,000 of the world’s websites, including giants such as Wikipedia.

Available for FREE, its text based interface is enough to deter a novice user but with the help of Webmin, administrating it is relatively simple.

* Free to use
* No license restrictions
* Easy integration with most OS clients and environments
* Easy to use built-in security features

Open source solutions in Education

There are a number of open source solutions for an educational institution. I will be listing and discussing them in detail and also the pros and cons in deploying the same.


Some areas of deployment include:
1. Administration
2. Classroom teaching
3. Student information management
4. Campus intranet communication and collaboration

iPad2 Apps: Pages, Keynote, and Numbers

Took the plunge and moved into Mac domain. Letting go of Microsoft is NOT easy, but the transition is smooth with this superb set of apps available from the itunes store. 


All the three iWork productivity applications help you  put together professional-looking documents, presentations, and spreadsheets.


Pages is a very powerful word processor with simple-to-use layout tools and a large onscreen keyboard. Importing and opening Word documents is straightfoward. 


With Keynote, it’s easy to create presentations with stunning animations and effects in minutes. 


Numbers lets you build compelling, attractive spreadsheets in minutes, including tables and charts. 

Educating the Educators

I have often been asked "What is the biggest hurdle to implementation of Technology in education?"

Well .... some of the obvious ones are listed below (in no specific order)

Funding

Schools and colleges need to have the money and resources/support necessary to have up-to-date equipment. In the ever changing world of technology, keeping the hardware / software purchased up-to-date is the second biggest part of the same problem. 

Support from the Administration

There needs to be strong support/knowledge at the management level before it starts to to trickle down to the classrooms.

Training

Teachers need training, professional development and mentorship to be able to implement ideas into the classroom.

Bias against technology/Generational bias.

Many teachers (sometimes rightfully) do not feel the need for computers. Power Point is just a fancy overhead presentation tool. Many use the excuse of age to mentally 'kill the urge' to learn.. Some don't want to change as long as what they are doing is working.

Technology vs Values

Are we sacrificing values at the cost of introducing technology in education?


With the easy availability and distribution of ebooks / PDFs via P2P, many of which are copyrighted, are we as educators encouraging the spread of wrong values

Apps for Education

"iPad apps are expanding the learning experience both inside and outside the classroom. From interactive lessons to study aids to productivity tools, there’s something for everyone".

Finally got myself linked with with an updated iTunes. There are literally thousands of apps available for download for students and teachers. Shall be putting together some of the more practical and affordable apps in the days ahead

Learning with iPad2

"An incredibly responsive Multi-Touch screen. A large, high-resolution LED-backlit IPS display. A design that’s thin and light enough to take anywhere. iPad isn’t just the best device of its kind — it’s a whole new kind of device. And it’s poised to change the learning landscape."

Finally got my hands on the ipad2.... a 'Teacher's Day' gift to myself.. Shall be writing about the amazing potential this device brings to the learning experience both inside and outside the classroom.