Here are the questions for this weeks discussions! Hopefully we all have a better idea now what exactly a "free/open resource is."
1. A definition of an open source can be found on the Open Source Initiative Homepage. What open resources (if any) have you used in your classroom? If you do not have your own classroom, have you witnessed open resources being used?
2. Under The Free Software Definition on the GNU Operating System website it says that “A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms. Thus, you [should] be free to redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to anyone anywhere. Being free to do these things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay for permission.” Thinking about the word [should], what types of problems do you think can occur when copying/redistributing information?
3. The article written by Sally Johnstone, Open Educational Resources Serve the World, states that “A major reason for sharing resources created for local communities is individuals’ desire to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. Other reasons relate to institutional goals and benefits.” In your own experience, what is the reasoning for using an open resource? Was it to help out those that are less fortunate within your school or community? Or was the source you used a great source that just happened to be an open resource?
4. The same article written by S. Johnstone talks about the “Connexions” project, which was created by Richard Baraniuk and his colleagues at Rice University. Do you find any of the Connexion material modules for secondary-school teachers useful? Could you use these modules in your own teaching? Why or why not?
5. The essay written by Nikola Bezroukov titled Open Source SoftwareDevelopment as a Special Type of Academic Research (Critique of VulgarRaymondism) was written to "...forewarn open source developers about theproblems of working on open source projects, and reduce some of thefrustrations." What problems did Bezroukov discuss? Do you agree with him,or do you feel that he was too critical about open sources?
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Response to # 4: From what I looked at there were secondary modules that I would consider using. There was one math module called Shadow Portfolios and essentially the premise what when your students finish a math unit they would go through all their works from that unit and compile them into a portfolio that would act as a "Shadow" or review of what the students had learned and therefore a useful tool for both the student and the teacher. This was just one example. But while looking at some of the secondary modules I had the thought of how great it would be if this project expanded to include tons of elementary modules. I would totally use elementary modules from this project. It would be great if elementary teachers around the world had one "place" where they could upload all their lessons to share and also be free to download and modify any lessons on the site and also a place to collaborate with teachers across the country!
So I just tried to publish my comment, and it said "Blogger is unavailable now. We apologize for the interruption in service!" Very annoyed right now. Here is my SECOND attempt. Question #5: In this article, Nikolai Bezroukov discusses some of the issues that are problematic to open source projects. "Open source does work, but it is most definitely not a panacea ... Software is hard. The issues aren't that simple” (Zawinski). For example, programming requires everybody to develop on one single path. Open source development can become extremely slow – sometimes even slower than traditional projects! However, if speed is a big issue, then the authoritarian methods have an advantage over democratic methods. An authoritarian style will sooner or later kill any given open source project. Therefore, any attempt to speed up an existing project could lead to consequences including changes in the project social structure. Another problem with open source projects is the signal-to-noise ratio. The signal-to-noise ratio is already pretty bad, and it is getting worse. Discussion groups may lead one to the wrong impression that the internet is filled with “junk and jerks.” Personally, I think Bezroukov was being a bit too critical. I don’t think open source projects should be ruled out. Of course there will be some glitches. There always is when using a computer! But the benefits of open source projects out -weigh this. They are so great to have access to – especially in the classroom.
I agree Theresa, it would be a really good idea to include Elementary levels within these modules. I think it would be very beneficial to teachers to see how other teachers teaching lessons and sharing ideas. I think something like this promotes collaboration in the teaching profession and we need more sites such as this one.
I too agree with Gretchen... yes there is glitches in some of the open source programs, but there always will be glitches in technology. But for the simple fact that this is a push for our society to come up with free and open programs for everyone to use is great. It's a big step in the right direction not only for education but for society.
amyh answering Q3. In reading S. Johnstones' article I started thinking about what what less fortunate meant. I feel that it could mean someone with less money, someone with less privelege. Someone with less exposure. I think we need to define what less fortunate means. In this case I guess our students would be someone with less privelege and exposure. If I were to show a youtube video that i had gotten off the internet about Mexico and it should how they celebrated the Day of the Dead, for most of my students it would be the only time that they would be able to experience what this holiday means to the people of Mexico. SO in terms of helping the less fortunate than yes I gave my less fortunate students who will not be able to travel to Mexico an opportunity to experience a mexican holiday. Now was it a great resource? It depends on the footage, but if I used it than yes it would be a great resource. I probably didn't use it because it just happened to be a great resource. i probablly used it to enrich the class, it probably just also happened to be a great resource. Sally Johnstone said that it is capable of making a richer experience for students and professors and is generating a new, cross departmental collaborations. This is also true for teachers in the public schools. After viewing a video you may have an idea for a project but not sure if it would work well. you can always put up a blog and ask for information or ideas. It is a good thing for general uses.
amyh responding to goaliegurl#4 That would be wonderful for teachers to have one placefor their resources. Can you imagine the possibilities! What if you wanted a lesson on Egyptian mummies. you would have a gazillion to choose from. Just like a kid in a candy shop (or worse a woman in a chocolate factory...but we won't go there) It would be wonderful and at the same time over whelming. Can you imagine a teacher who can't make up their mind trying to use that? If we had such a place which we do but on a smaller scale, would that put books almost obsolete? We wouldn't have to read a book on mummies, or go to the library. Poor librarians. What would they do if they didn't shelve? I guess they would become computer geeks with bad shoes. The possiblities would be endless!
amyh commenting on Alison's response to Gretchen, I have friends who would say...and if I give it to you free how do i make money? Where would Bill Gates be today if he shared his knowledge? Where would Coke be if everyone could make Coke? Where would the publishers be if everyone copied from free sources? I think that free resources are great especially on a teacher's salary. We don't do it for the money we do it for other reasons, but isn't there just a little bit of you saying that was my idea and I really don't want to share it with you. I am just playing the devils advocate here, OK a pain in the butt. It is just something to think about. Not neccissarily my point of view.
amyh answering Q4 It is a good idea to share and collaborate and for Instructors to build courses. I think educators are always looking to better their courses. As for secondary classes I think it would benefit greatly because the world is moving so fast. I am referring to most subjects especially Science and History. Information today may not be correct tomorrow. Using Open Resources is a good way to keep up to date provided the resources are correct. In the article it stated that most connexions are in English. this would be a good opportunity for foriegn students to practice English skills as well as participate in contributing to a site. I think people benefit all the way around.
Response to # 5: Bezroukov said that while the open source movement is playing an important and vital role in software development and it will continue to be an important center for creativity in the future, BUT it has quiet a few problems that need to be addressed. One such problem is a large community inhibits innovation, in such a way that a program may stagnate, meaning that because open source is so decentralized many many people contribute and this slows the process down. Furthermore, authoritarian models of development are more effective when speed is a factor for success. I agree that the more people that work on an open source project the higher the possibility is that the entire speed of the process will be greatly decreased. In relation to this he spoke of the Town Council Effect, which refers to the fact that developers are not creating programs in isolation, users have the final word in changes and developments of the product, because as is later stated....if users dont support the changes made then they will not consume the project and therefore the open source will not acquire the critical mass of users that is necessary for continued success. I do agree that developers of open source projects need to listen to the consumers because without the consumers there product would not survive. Another weakness is that tech support for open sources is inferior to that of commercial products and this makes people especially educators less likely to use it because teachers have little time to get training on the software and wont use it unless they feel proficient with it. These are only some of the problems with open source that I agree are definite weaknesses of open source.
amyh answering Q2 This is a really great debate question. One that I think any artist especially in music would love to answer. I know that you were wanting answers about print publication but just think of all the other media that is out there. A musician spend hours and hours Writing and looking for songs and recording. If it can be down loaded for free the artist is losing money that they rightfully earned. This is the same with any famous person. What if you were famous and someone used your likeness for something you were totally against. You would be outraged. And for the most part there would be a law suit. The musicians are now trying to come up with ways to work with the free sites as well as make the monies that they deserve. I just heard about Kid Rock Finally making a deal with the internet and I can't quite remember all of the details,but I do remember him saying he was opposed of the internet until he was sure that it was fair for everyone all the way around. OK enough about artists. What about scientists. We would like to think that they are working for the goodness of all humankind. Well some are most however are not. if you are working on a project and it gets out and other people take that idea and are working on it, who gets the glory? Who's name goes on the paper who gets the grant money? Let's face it we are a world that revolves around money. I myself am poor and love the idea of free. I love to take images of famous people and use them for myself without paying for them, but I am also aware that I am infringing on the people that I am in a sense stealing from. Does it make me feel good? No, do I do it anyway? yes. As far as teacher's go free stuff is great. As an art teacher we had no textbooks. All our projects come from our own minds. I used the internet many times to find projects. Sometimes because I wanted to see what other people were doing and sometimes because I was lazy. I always felt like I was stealing especially when I was lazy. When you talk about should, I feel it is also a morals issue. If you take and make something your own than it may not be stealing, but if you do not make it your own and you take it is it stealing?
As defined by the Open Source Initiative, open source is a development method for software that harnesses the power of distributed peer review and transparency of process. I have witnessed no open resources in my classroom. In looking at Wikipedia, I have found some examples of open source software. Such of which includes Firefox. This I have used only at Cortland on the Mac programs.
Using the word should in regards to copying, redistributing information poses many problems. The definition of should is used to express obligation or duty. This is open to interpretation. One’s own obligation or duty may be different than that of someone else’s. Just because it says you should be free to redistribute copies doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be. This puts a person at risk when redistributing copies and should probably take necessary measures as if it said you were not free to redistribute copies unless ask for permission, etc.
In Response to Question #2
Through the quote provided in the question, I think that there are several problems that can occur when copying/redistributing information. The most obvious is peopel copying the work as their own. In collaborative pieces, the names of everyone involved should always be kept to make sure that everyone who worked on the program get the credit that they deserve for doing the work. Plagerism is still a huge problem in all fields and this is one way that plagerism can continue to be a problem because there are no "Open Source Police" to monitor who actually did what.
Another problem that can occur when copying/redistributing information is the attachment of a virus or trojan to the file. Not everyon keeps their computer protected and therefore they do not have the best software protection from such instances. One file gets corrupted, that person sends the file to 3 people, those three people use it and send it to three people, etc, before long, the program is rumored to be problematic and the program is ditched because, who wants a program that trashes their computer?
A third problem that can occur is that some people do not what their work copied and redistributed prior to its completion. Computer programs are not developed overnight, and often, the program may be distributed prior to completion and then that persons reputation is on the line.
In response to number 1, the only open source product I see being used today is free lesson plan websites like "Lesson Plans Page," "Lesson Planz," etc. While the difinition of open source still remains a little confusing to me, I understand it as a resource that allows anyone to copy, share, change, and modify software. According to "The Free Software Definition" article, if you make changes and publish those changes "you should not be required to notify anyone in particular, or in any particular way." Without this part of the definition, I thought lesson plan websites were an example of an open source product. However, I have noticed that some fellow teachers make changes to existing lesson plans on the websites, but they will make the original author known. So according to the "Free Software Definition" article, they would not be. But I also don't know if it was required by the website or if the author making the improvements thought it courteous to give credit to the author with the original idea/lesson plan.
Another major open resource I see is teachers temselves. Many teachers--especially those in the same grade level-- share ideas with eachother on which lessons work and which lessons don't with their students. Teachers also are frequently bouncing ideas and strategies off eachother that could also help improve a lesson. Teachers share materials with eachother as well. As a substitue I frequently see teachers sharing DVDs, math manipulatives, etc. Teachers I feel are the strongest open source resource because our advice, ideas, strategies, and materials are free to use by others.
In response to question 3, in my experience, the reasoning for using an open resource is because the source just happened to be an open resource. Other teachers and lesson plan websites are open resources I see commonly used. i know as teachers we commonly use them to save money and time in order for our students to benefit. While I wouldn't necessarily think of ourselves (teachers) as less fortunate, I can definitely see these open resources as being extremely helpful to teachers in school districts that may not have enough funding to get the updated textbooks with the additional activities included. If those teachers who know about the additional activities share them with other teachers who don't, then teachers are helping other people in different communities. I definitely agree with Amy in that it is hard to define less fortunate. I guess after thinking about it, those teachers working in school districts that don't have funding would be considered less fortunate. So maybe I change my mind and would say that the reasoning is a mixture of both, the open resource just happening to be that way and also to help the less fortunate (sorry I just woke up from a nap and I'm not thinking straight).
In responce to Amy's post-- most "free resource" providers still make money on their free resource. For example youtube, facebook, myspace, etc. they don't make money off the users, but the advertisements they allow to be opsted on their sites. Therefore they are still making lots of money and allowing the wonderful product to be free to public viewers.
I think one thing you always have to keep in mind when using open sources, just like any other source you find, you need to give recognition to where you found the information. When your using an open source just like a picture you copied from a google search- you give credit to the site in which you found it from. Free source or a source you paid to you, citing is the key factor.
In responce to Lauren's comment- Yes others can come in and make changes (sometimes unwanted) however, the original poster can always reject or accept changes made to their posting. Also places like wikipedia has individuals looking at the information as it comes to verify meanings, etc.
In response to Goaliegurl and Amy, I think that having a place to share lesson plans would be amazing! Not only would it allow a classroom teacher to spice up their lessons, but also add variety and get ideas for other lessons that they are planning. They could also use those lessons and develop them further to make them less flawed than before. Each time a lesson is looked at and developed the better it will be and the more it can pottentially have within it.
Response to Question #1: An example of an open source is Firefox. I had no idea this was an open source until I read Audrey's blog, and then realized that I have witnessed Firefox being used in the classroom. During my first student teaching placement, my sponsor teacher had all of her students using laptops to type up animal reports. The students had to access the internet in order to find animal facts, and they used Firefox to do so. I'm not sure if this is true, but the teacher told me that they use Firefox because it has more security than Internet Explorer. I have also heard this from a couple friends. Does anybody know anything about that? I have been using Firefox for a few years now, and I do like it much better than Internet Explorer.
In response to question 5, Bezroudov discusses problems of open source in his article: "Open Source Software Development as a Special Type of Academic Research." One problem he discussed was open source's lack of rapid development. He states "when programming work requires everyone to develop on a single path the pace of open source development can become as slow or even slower than traditional projects." Because open source has so many freedoms, many people can work on the project. This can create a problem if members don't communicate with others and if the project isn't organized. According to Jamie Zawinski: "great things are accomplished by small groups people who are driven, who have unity of purpose."
Another problem discussed is conflicts among developers of open source projects. Bezroukov recounts an anonymous example where people are not able to share the responsibility, work, and credit that comes with open source projects. While so many people work on the project, personalities are most likely to clash. When members don't work cooperatively, the project suffers. Many problems involving members not getting along is a result of what Bezroukov calls 'cult of personality.' Typically a group leader is put "in charge" of the open source project. The leader is then pressured to keep the project on schedule and tensions rise among members becasue while it may seem there are freedoms with open source projects, learders are actually acting like dictators instead of coaches.
While Bezroukov discusses some problems of open source projects, I don't think he was over critical. The definition of open source projects discusses the freedoms of open source. What some people don't realize is that the freedoms can lead to problems. It is important for people to be aware of problems so they can organize their open souce project in a way that will help them avoid any unnecessary problems such as time management and member collaboration.
#2: Some of the obvious setbacks/problems with copying/redistributing another persons ideas/materials would be that the person who's original idea it actually is, will not always get the appropraite recognition/credit for coming up with that program/idea. It technically is not plagarism, but it along the same lines. Taking credit for another persons work is something that can occur all the time with open network sharing, but being able to have access to another perons work/ideas is part of what makes open networks attractive...
#3 Although I am not currently in a classroom, I still feel as though the use of "open" software/programs is an excellent idea, both because of the fact that it is accessable to everyone (4 A's accessability, afforacblility, accredtied, and appororiate) even students who may be less fortunate and cannot afford to pay for online information. Also it is an effective resource, because these open information sites contain a wide variety of materials at no cost. The very definition of "open" as described in the Downs article states that open means no payment, everything is free. Forcing a person to "sign up, or pay" a fee to oobtain information would not be sharing, it would be an exchange. I also feel that it is essential to emphasis that open networks are not necessarily all free, they do cost real dollars to maintain/sustain
I agree with alison and gretchen, that the "push" for more "open" information sharing both within education and society as a whole is an excellent step in the right direction. With all the information that is available, it is only right that everyone has equal access to it. The more infor available to young people, the more they will learn...
Bezroukov makes a great point in his essay. he states that because so many vendors ruch products to market and are often forced to give them away for free or little cost, the budget for tech support is very low, and therefore the users are left without much help when they need it.
In response to amyh and question 3, if her students' only chance to experience the "dia de los muertos" was through youtube clips that they would not have been able to see otherwise, then yes, I would have to say that it is a great resource. There may be better out there, but in terms of meeting a small goal, it is effective and useful.
Lastly I agree with Nikolai B. and lauren in her response when they say that some of the fundamental problems with open networks are the lack of credit that is given to all the members of a project, or the fact that some members of a group may not get along/clash with one another. You see this type of thing everyday, members of a group dont get along, only certain members do the work or get the credit...this, like nikolai says is a definite possible downfall to "open" networks sharing.
Response to Question 1
I do not have my own classroom nor have I seen any teachers use open source resources being used. I think that the technology is still so new, and as we have discussed numerous times, teachers aren't trained to use the general technology (smartboards, etc.) in their own classrooms, so they are going to be tenative in using any technology that goes beyond that. I think that those types of resources may even have blocks on them because there are so many people who can edit them that they aren't as safe as tried and true resources.
In response to Question 4
The Connexion material for modules for the secondary-school teachers seems to include technology based information. That information would be great for vocational training as well as for college-prep programs that are in place. Obviously this won't be beneficial to every school, only schools that have programs in which focus on technology or college-prep programs.
I don't think that I could use these modules in my teaching because I currently don't have a classroom, and if I did, I would be at the primary level. At the primary level, the inforamtion in Connexions is far to advanced and does not fit into the curriculum.
In response to Q#3, my reasoning for using open sources is to my colleges as well as myself access to material to share especially when we are doing collaboration or if I'm teaming up with a teacher from another discipline to do an interdisciplinary unit. Not only can I use open sources in my building, I may be able to access open sources from other schools that participate in using this style of format.
Q#4 (Sorry for the confusion, my answer for question 3&4 is backwards, so now I'm actually answer # 3)
I think open resources benefits everyone. It just happen to b there and students as well as students need to take advantage of the opportunity. Even in the lives of the "less fortunate" there is always a way to get access to technology and open resources makes that possible.
Q#2 The types of problems that comes with copying and redistributing information is that well, if everyone has access to free software who gets the blame or credit if something goes right or wrong? Who gets money if it goes commercial? I think there has to be some type of small guideline to make sure the person that originally started the free software gets the recognition. Redistributing information is also pragmatic because information changes and sometimes for the worst. So just like free software, who gets the blame for bad material. Is the source traced appropriately?
In response to question #1, I feel that the website defines what open source is very well. I feel open source has been around for several years, but teachers have not been introduced or taught how to properly use it. I currently do not have my own classroom but I have witnessed software programs in classrooms. Like Gretchen stated, Firefox is an open source program that almost everyone uses in classrooms today. I have witnessed programs like Nvu and Google Sites being used and noticed that they are very user friendly. Just like anything new, it takes practice and a lot of playing around. I would consider using Google Sites in my classroom as a way to communicate to my students and parents outside the classroom.
I agree with cprince in saying that there should be policies for the usage of the sites to make sure credit is given to those who construct it. Things could get “messy” and information could be misinterpreted. There should always be a person to contact about this matter as well as to give credit for accurate work. An example of this would be Wikipedia. This site allows users to add and correct information on the page. Throughout the space there is no credit being given to users who contribute to the page.
Question #2
Copying and redistributing information poses many problems, especially for those in the classroom. Plagerism has become a very large problem over the past few years, mostly due to the vast amount of information found on the internet. When information can be shared and edited by anyone, giving credit to the original ideas/authors can be easily overlooked. Also, the information could be false. We talked about wikiality before and how information can be added and distributed. People tend to believe that if they found it on the internet, it must be true somehow.
In response to amyh...
I love that you are the devils advocate!!! You brought up some great points that I hadnt even thought of. Thank you!
In the article written by Sally Johnstone, "Open Educational Resources Serve the World," there is a statement that reads, “A major reason for sharing resources created for local communities is individuals’ desire to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. Other reasons relate to institutional goals and benefits.” I completely believe that this statement is thoroughly meant that us as educators are seen as the "providers." We must make the connections and allow our students to grasp every experience and gain at least a little bit of knoowledge from lessons that we teach. We are given many resources within our classroom and schools. We need to use them to better equip our students for the technological world they will encounter in their near futures.
In my own experience, my reasoning for using any open resource would be because "Open source is a development method for software that harnesses the power of distributed peer review and transparency of process. The promise of open source is better quality, higher reliability, more flexibility, lower cost, and an end to predatory vendor lock-in." Why would an educator not want to use FREE and easy to use software. I definitely use any technology to help out those that are less fortunate within your school or community. Many of the students whom I teach are lucky to go home to running water. These students aren't allowed teh same opportunities at home as they are in school. Many educators at our school are jumping on board the technological wagon. It's just been a slow process.
Kathryn brings up an excellent point about plagerism and validity within the web sites we use.
My Mom, who teaches 5th grade Social Studies, had done some quick research the other day on the internet and hadn't fully read the entire printing before she decided to read it to her classes. I glanced at it before she began her lesson because "wikipedia" had caught my eye. Needless to say, the information was not entirely correct and she had a very teachable moment with her class on web resources. I, then had at teachable moment with her and showed her how to correct the wiki space for the term she had printed. It was pretty cool! I felt very helpful! :o)
I agree with Theresa. I think a place on the internet for everyone to share lesson plans and ideas would me amazing. Browsing the internet one night, I came across this great site that had power points and games on different lessons. I thought it was great because you could use the model as ideas and implement it in your own classroom. One of the examples is http://www.pppst.com/themes.html#s. Here you can find many ideas on different themes that are taught in the classroom.
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