Implementing linux desktops per grade level

[bigbear]

The more I work with elementary school students, primarily K - 8, I have seen first hand the huge mistake it is to assume the same desktop setup will work for all of them in a uniform rollout.

I would recommend, for your sanity and the ease of frustration for teachers in those classrooms, pre-K through perhaps 2nd grade desktops be 'Kiosk" type desktops where the students are able to use the machine and apps, but not trying to turn them on, off, etc... in any form. This can lead to a lot of trips to those classrooms for things that are easily avoided by using a Kiosk and the kids really aren't missing out on anything.


At about 3rd grade, the kids can handle following directions a bit better to be able to use a 'regular' desktop and helping the teachers with turning the machines on or off (if that is the case in those schools) without detriment or to omany pleas for help to the classrooms 10 times a day.

In fact, having internet completely blocked for those pre-K to perhaps 3rd grade or even 4th, depending on the staff and curriculum, might go a long way to managing student computer use.

at 4th or higher, much of what students will do will be more web based than anything on a class computer anyway. doing research, typing papers, etc...

Just a few blurbs as I sat down here thinking about work I need to prepare for as the school year is coming on again.

Big Bear