Digital Education: Exploring Open-Source for Schools (NECC09 entry) - 1 views
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Another point that came up in the session was that it is much easier to start with open-source software or platforms rather than try to transition from commercial software to its open-source equivalent.
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Kathy Cannon on 29 Jun 09This has been true in my experience of transitioning from WebCT Vista 3 to Moodle here at Brandeis University.
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tech administrators are afraid to be held accountable for any problems that may arise from a transition from commercial to open-source software.
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Another point that came up in the session was that it is much easier to start with open-source software or platforms rather than try to transition from commercial software to its open-source equivalent. Orwin explained that implementing Moodle into his district was much easier than transitioning from Microsoft Office to Open Office, since teachers were already familiar with Microsoft Office and then had to adjust to the differences in Open Office. That transition was almost four years in the making, he said. On average, it takes about three years before educators begin to truly understand the benefits of moving to open-source software, said Hargadon.
