The document discusses open source software in education. Open source software has source code that is available, modifiable, and can be redistributed for free. It provides community support and examples include Moodle, WordPress, MySQL, OpenOffice, Gimp, and Linux. Some benefits of open source include reliability, stability, lower costs over time, flexibility, support, and being cross-platform. The document advocates for taking small steps in using open source software in education and building up to bigger implementations over time.

1. Open Source in
Education
“Can I do this?”

2. William Stites
• Director of Technology - Montclair Kimberley
Academy
• Collaborator - Educational Collaborators
• www.educollaborators
• williamstites@educollaborators.com
• @educollabor8or
• @wstites
• www.williamstites.net

3. What is open source?
• Software & OS
• Source code is available, modifiable & can be
redistributed
• FREE
• Community support (paid support possible)
• Examples: Moodle, WordPress, MySQL,
Open Office, Gimp & Linux

4. Misconception Alert
• Not “Real World” app(s)
• Learning curve
• Inferior
• Support
• Security

5. Freeware, Fremium &
Shareware
≠
Open Source

6. Benefits
• Reliability
• Stability
• Cost: Initial, ongoing & TCO
• Flexibility & Freedom
• Support & accountability
• Cross-platform

7. Small steps...

8. Bigger...

9. Biggest...

10. www.opensource.org

11. William Stites
• Director of Technology - Montclair
Kimberley Academy
• @wstites
• www.williamstites.net
!