Unit+7

**Background/Rationale:** Open source is the name for software or knowledge that is openly shared. It is the basis for many individuals sharing the responsibility to create a universal body of knowledge in Wikipedia or wikis and free software tools that can be used by anyone. New trends include open source textbooks and free course management tools like Moodle. The Free Open Source Software movement - FOSS offers not only software but also the source code to everyone so that the software is continually improved. The idea that the many work to provide for the whole is a move from the 80's and 90's proprietary based money making business model. This model still exists but is being challenged by free software products like the browsers Firefox that now provides 30% of the browser market as Internet Explore slips below 60%. No longer do individuals need to purchase Microsoft Office, Photoshop or Dreamweaver for several hundred dollars. Open source tools offer nearly equivalent options with Open Office, Gimp and NVu at no cost. One area that benefits most from these free software products is education. We are in challenging economic times with budgets cuts to education dollars. One way to bolster our budgets is to experiment with and moving to the use of open source alternatives. **Learner Outcomes** **At the end of this Learning Topic, you will be able to:** 1. Research and evaluate open source software and its potential for cost savings and enabling students who cannot afford software in the education setting. (Activity 1) 2. Demonstrate understating of open source philosophy, tools and their uses and how these tools 3. Describe how these tools can support learning in various curricular areas. (Activity 2) 4. Create a sales pitch for an open source tool (Activity 3) **Readings and Research**: **Open source software** · Amant, Kirk St., and Brian Still. Handbook of Research on Open Source Software: Technological, Economic, and Social Perspectives. IGI Global. © 2007. Books24x7. < [] > (accessed April 29, 2010) **NOTE: See instructions on accessing Books24x7 in the syllabus Required Course Materials section.** · Berry, M. (2010, March 8). Social Constructivism and Open Source : Open Source. Open Learning.. Open Source. Open Learning.. Retrieved May 11, 2010, from [|http://milesberry.net/2010/03/social-constructivism-and-open-source] · The Free Software Definition - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF). (n.d.).The GNU Operating System. Retrieved May 11, 2010, from [|http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html] ·   **Resources** MIT Open course-ware [] Open source tool resource for searching [] [|and] []
 * Learning Topic 7: Open source software**

Open source Blog [] **Partial list of** **Open source software applications** Alice programming [] Amaya Website editing from WC3 [] Anim9or animation [] Art if Illusion 3D modeling [] Audacity audio Editing [] Blender 3D modeling [] Bryce 3D modeling [] 17.html?tag=lst-0-2 CamStudio screen recording [] Cinefx video editing [] Cinepaint video frame retouch [] Firefox browser [] [| also look for browser extensions like text markers and] [] research tool Google Docs [|http://docs.google.com] Google Earth [] Google Sketch-up [|http://sketchup.google.com] Gimp (similar to Photoshop) [] Gimpshop (similar to Photoshop) [] Kompozer (similar to Dreamweaver) [] Inkscape vector graphics [] Moodle Course management software (similar to Blackboard) [] NVu, website editing (similar to Dreamweaver) [] OpenOffice (similar to Microsoft Office) [|http://openoffice.org] Scratch basic visual programming [] Ubuntu Operating system [] **Free audio books** public domain [|http://librivox.org] **Learning Activities** **Activity 1: Open Source Research Project** The open source movement is growing because of the social context which programs are developed and supported. Becoming aware of the numerous open source applications available with educational applications may help schools struggling with budgets. However, there can be downfalls when using open source applications. Developing a thorough understanding of what the open source movement can provide in an educational environment will help avoid the downfalls. Step 1: Thoroughly research, examine, and evaluate the open source movement. Focus your research on Social Constructivism; history and development of open source; philosophy behind open source. Present the pro and con arguments for open source uses in a school setting. Step 2: Present your information in a 10 page paper or equivalent presentation in Voicethread or other presentation software, movie, podcast or your choice of alternative presentation method. An APA work cited with at least six sources must accompany whichever format you choose. **This project will become an artifact for your final portfolio.** Share your finished project with the class and provide your peers feedback on their research. **This project will become an artifact for your final portfolio** **Assessment** For information on how you will be evaluated, please see the Open Source Research Project Criteria **Activity 2: Discussion - Classroom uses of open source tools** It isn’t practical or advisable to think you should change all educational applications to open source applications all at once. Start with one or two applications that can support a curricular project. Starting small will provide a great opportunity to really examine the pros and cons of each application. Step 1: Search for an open source tool that can support a curricular project in your classroom. Step 2: Identify: o the level, subject and project or lesson you would use the tool with o the benefits and or drawbacks of tool o methods you will use to teach the tool o how this will support learning Step 3: Post/share this summary with your peers. Discuss the benefits and challenges of incorporating open source software with your students and peers. Respond to two or more of your colleagues’ posts. **Assessment** For information on how you will be evaluated, please see the Cell Phone Use Grading Criteria **Activity 3 - Sales-Pitch for An Open Source Tool** This activity provides the opportunity to explore another open source application. You will thoroughly investigate the application so other can learn the features and benefits. Explore one open source tool (different from activity 2) you are not familiar with but are curious to learn. Use online tutorials and resources to learn the tool at a basic level. Step 2: Now use the tool you have learned to create an artifact that "sells" the tool to your peers. Make sure to include the features and benefits of the tool in your sales pitch. Be creative. Step 3: Share your sales-pitch with your instructor and colleagues by posting your sales pitch in the discussion forum for this activity. Provide feedback on two or more of your colleagues’ presentations. **Assessment** For information on how you will be evaluated, please see the Open Source Sales-Pitch Grading Criteria