So, if you follow me on twitter, you’ll notice lately that I’m marrooned on an island (aside of the island I live on). On that island there is a small school, which in it has four computers and is connected “to the real world” via a 2MB microwave link. The company I work for used to support the IT in the school, so I have a good working knowledge of it, however we no longer support the infrastructure.
While stuck, however, I went in to look at the computers as they’ve been playing up some and my extensive knowledge was sought to hope shed some insight in to things (it turned out to be a simple DNS server setting which was causing all of the issues, but I digress).
Whilst in the school, I took the opportunity to have a look at the new system that has recently been put in to replace the old. First off, let me say – Windows XP – What?! Why!? Don’t know. However, lets progress to the point of this article. Security.
What is the objective of going to school? Learning, last time I checked. So, what is all of this rambling about? Well, the new system locks the kids out of so much, they can’t even change the background. How can you teach children about IT if they can’t do rudimentary tasks? Surely the best way to learn is by breaking things…why lock the kids out of things that will make them more successful in learning, which is what they’re meant to do?
C’mon guys…What is the point of locking down the machines so the kids can’t learn? Also, for crying out loud, why put in Windows XP as it hasn’t even been supported since mainstream since June and it’s nearly 10 years old now. Yikes!!!
#1 by John on Monday, November 23, 2009 - 20:20
Its about getting a balance between the teacher being able to deliver a lesson, without the disruption of machines not working and that being disruptive to the rest of the group.
On the flip side agree that students should be able to play with and break machines in which they learn how the os works and how to fix machines, this is best delivered via a sandbox or virtualised setup where machines can be not locked down and where kids can have a freedom to break and fix but this doesnt affect lesson delivery and cause the teacher issues during class time.
Cheers
John
#2 by Justin on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 11:49
John,
I agree you have to have a balance, but a balance isn’t (a) using Windows XP nor is it (b) having a start menu with only Programs on it and not letting the kids “feel around” to get used to comptuers. If they go home to use the computer, it will look completely different so what is the point in teaching them in a locked down environment in the first place (not to mention I doubt their home PC’s will be running XP either).