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December 21, 2006

huh

Macs declared not “appropriate technology” for schools

Posted Dec. 21, ’06, 5:24 AM PT by Derik DeLong
Category | Apple » Huh?

District 300 I remember when Apple computers were actually considered a positive thing to include in a school curriculum. You know, before schools thought having an IT staff was a good idea. Since then, it seems like schools have been making decisions based upon hardware purchase price alone. District 300 in Carpentersville, IL has hired a director of technology that’s decided Macs should be eliminated.

The article is full of stuff for me to pick at, so follow me into the extended section where I lay into one Mr. Eric Willard. He pulls out all the stops when it comes to stereotypical justification for eliminating diversity from their computer resources.

Willard, shortly after beginning his position in April, decided to phase out the district’s use of Macintosh computers and focus on Microsoft’s Windows Operating System and Lenox Softworks’ open source systems.

Willard said he decided on the new platform because most people use Microsoft programs in “the real world,” and open source systems provide a way for the district to keep students from downloading items such as music and movies onto the school’s computer hard drives — items that, ultimately, cost the district to delete.

Thanks for perpetuating that myth. I find “I know and feel comfortable with Windows” a much better explanation. The fact is that one doesn’t need to use Windows PCs in school in order to operate a computer in corporate america and having experience with only a single platform can possibly pigeonhole their students. Having access to and using a variety of platforms serves the students far better.

“We will have a challenging time at the high school level taking away the Macs,” Willard said. “The task force has to develop an implementation that takes into consideration the emotion involved. For some reason, people have heard about this, and some are very passionate about Macintosh computers.”

Maybe because they find that Macintosh computers are perfectly suited for the task of education. Perhaps because they don’t want to be monopolized. Or maybe they realize exposure to Macs is a good thing.

A referendum proposal that voters approved in March allowed for the district to revamp its technology and purchase new Macintosh computers this school year, but Willard does not know how many.

“We just bought Macs; we can’t throw them out,” Willard said. “We can’t just change everything over tomorrow. It will probably be a three- to five-year process.”

Let me get this straight. The voters indicate that they want Macs included in the schools and therefore the correct response is to act like you know better than them instead of carrying out their will?

In making the transition, Willard said the district will incorporate the use of Macintosh computers but keep them in a concentrated area, such as only in middle or elementary buildings. He said the district currently has “support problems” because Windows and Macintosh computers are scattered throughout the schools.

Sounds like their support staff could use some education of their own.

“We are going to recommend how to use and spend money on technology,” Willard said. “We have to identify appropriate technology within the appropriate curriculum in our district. It is not an emotional decision of what computer to buy.”

Absolutely, so wise up and realize that your students will best be served by a environment that has computers running Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows. Mr. Willard, your attachment to and comfort with Windows does mean your students are best by a Windows exclusive environment.

Hey readers, if you’re looking to share some thoughts with Mr. Willard, visit one of the links above and do a little detective work to find his email address. And don’t tell him we sent you.


8 Comments

Chris said:

I wonder if Willard has a mate who sells PCs.

December 21, 2006 7:20 AM
Donn said:

Obviously, when we're not using our Macs, we're having tea with Alice and the Mad Hatter, 'cause we're not in, you know, the real world.

December 21, 2006 8:43 AM
Jesse Hogue said:

This brings up an interesting problem in the IT field today. I work in IT, have for years. The number of people trained in Macs and Windows is very small. This case proves it. This guy was never trained on how to use Macs (not like its hard) so hes scared, and he is going to screw this school over because of that reason. Instead of phasing out Macs, why not hire someone with the right knowledge on BOTH platforms

December 21, 2006 9:19 AM
Robert Pritchett said:

Mactels happen to run Windows OSes just fine, so the "Anything but a Mac" mentality needs to be challenged by the School District board, PTA, Teachers and Students.

And with Parallels, ANY OS can run on the Mactels, so Eric Willard needs to get educated quickly or he will flunk out.

December 21, 2006 9:20 AM
Jason Author Profile Page said:

My recommendation would be to not e-mail Willard, the likes of whom we've all seen a million times before. Send a note to the school board, or the administration. Let them know that there's a guy trying to justify all his Windows training at the expense of students and teachers.

December 21, 2006 11:37 AM
33Nick said:

Obviously, he's deranged or being paid by MS.

If he believes all this PLUS add to the slew of opportunities of vulnerabilities, why not?

I can't believe this type of FUD and how people just are not rational about thinking. I'm not perfect, I know, but Windows makes no sense especially with his reasons.

I wonder what Apple things about all that?

December 21, 2006 12:59 PM
Greg said:

And so the myth of IT guys using Windows as job security continues to be proven...

December 21, 2006 10:22 PM
Gary said:

Ok - I'm a Tech Director here, and I swithced from Windows to Apple (personally) 4 years ago.

I am looking to refresh my entire district with Apple. We have pockets of Mac users as well - mostly in Multimedia (FIna Cut Pro and Logic classes) and Graphic Art classes. I'm the First one in my state to think that way, and will probably be doing this over next summer.

Mr. Willard is not exploring the options properly, so to create a computing environment for students that will promote a computer being used as an "educational tool" environment.

If support is a problem, Apple Remote desktop is a solution not to be overlooked and valued part of the overall support system he needs to implement with hiring additional technicians.

Good Luck District 300!!!!

January 3, 2007 9:06 PM

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