Open Source Software What is it Advantages Disadvantages

Open Source Software • What is it? • Advantages • Disadvantages • Examples Generic tools l Learning management systems l Social Networking l Web Authoring l Media l

Open Source Software l What is it? l free or non-proprietary software – no license fee or restrictions and. . . l includes source code – user-friendly modification l doesn't discrimination against persons, groups, field of application l doesn't restrict other software l isn't technology-neutral l is also referred to collectively as FLOSS - Free/Libre and Open Source Software In summary - it may be used, copied, studied, modified

Open Source Software l Other features. . . l Users are treated as do-developers l Modular – allowing parallel development l Early versions released as soon as possible l Several versions – for example: buggy & full featured, stable & basic l Flexible, democratic decision-making agendas and approaches. "(Raymond, 1997) "a great babbling bazaar of differing

Open Source Software • Advantages for users • availability of source code and right to modify & redistribute it • can use the software in any way • not dependent on single entity for software’s future • quicker innovation • no per-copy fees can be asked for modified versions • fewer conflicting priorities due to marketing pressures • reduced corporate & monopoly power • forum for democratic action • prime tool for achieving local language educational software, esp. languages not deemed commercially viable (Noronha, 2003)

Open Source Software • Advantages for developers • Greater market access • Can gain customer loyalty • Establish industry standard & competitive advantage • No commercial pressure

Open Source Software • Key disadvantages • possible quality control failures • security – hackers have easy access to source code

Generic applications • Word processor, presentation tools, spreadsheets • Used by most people who learn to use computers • Valuable skill to know - word processing, spreadsheets, presentation applications of i. Works, Microsoft Office • Open source alternative? Open Office

Generic applications: Example • Open office – example tools & tasks for EFL? • Text documents – text reconstruction, rewrite texts, use of forms, creating and editing HTML pages (demos if time) • Presentation documents – for presentations etc • Spreadsheets – collection and presentation of class, group surveys

Learning management systems • Also known as: Course Management Systems (CMS) Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) Learning Content Management Systems (LCMS) • Software for delivering, tracking and managing training/education • Most web-based - access to learning content & administration. • Common features & tools: Manage users, roles, courses, instructors, facilities WIKIs, Course calendar Student messaging and notifications Assessment/testing Grading of coursework

systems Examples: LRN, Atutor, Caroline, COSE, Dekeos, Edubuntu, e. Front, e. Study, ILIAS, Lon-CAPA, Moodle, OLAT, Sakai l l LRN world's most widely adopted open source software for higher education, government, and non-profit organisations l ATutor can be installed in minutes. l Caroline translated into 35 languages l efront a complete e-learning software with a good looking interface and good range of tools: - content editors, file sharing, test builders, survey creation etc. l Moodle a popular Course Management System (CMS) to create effective online learning sites

Social networking l For networks suitable for smaller groups of people l Examples: Elgg (2008 award winner), Pligg, Newscloud, Drupal, AROUNDme, Dolphin, Mugshot l General features: blogging, networking, community, collecting of news using feeds, file sharing

Web Authoring l e. Xe: ELearning XHTML author l Create & publish web content without knowledge of HTML or XML l Full compatibility with Moodle Easy to make activities: reading activities, multiple choice, SCORM quizzes, True. False etc l (demo if time)

Multimedia VLC player: extremely versatile multimedia player l Audacity: audio recorder & editor l e. Cinefx: video editing and visual effects tools l

Top 100 learning tools Good source of ideas http: //www. c 4 lpt. co. uk/recommended/index. html #1 Twitter l #2 Delicious (social bookmarking web service for storing, sharing, and discovering web bookmarks) l #3 Google reader (checks your favorite news sites and blogs for new content) l #4 Slideshare l #5 Google docs (Upload, store, edit and share documents anytime, from anywhere) l #6 Youtube l #7 Wordpress (blog publishing application) l #8 Skype l #9 Google Search l #10 Audacity (audio editor and recorder) l All free software – downloadable & hosted l

References Noronha, F. (2003). “Developing Countries Gain from Free/Open-Source Software” Available from: http: //www. linuxjournal. com/article/6884 Retrieved 25 th Nov 2008 Raymond, E. (2000). “The Cathedral and the Bazaar”. Available from: http: //www. catb. org/~esr/writings/cathedral-bazaar/index. html Retrieved 18 th Nov 2009 Thank you for listening Iain Davey http: //homepage. mac. com/ifd 66/pg 1. html