(Free, Libre and Open Source Software in Education)
Taking place on Thursday 20thth & Friday 21stth July 2006
at Bolton Technical Innovation Centre, Minerva Road, Bolton, BL4 0HS
See bottom of page for booking form
The theme for this year's conference, organised by
Schoolforge UK is "Using Free/Libre and Open Source
Software (FLOSS) for sustainable and inclusive educational technologies".
This conference is aimed at a broad spectrum of educational decision-makers, from school
governors, head-teachers and Local Authority education staff, to teachers and IT managers,
who all need to understand the growing impact of Open Source approaches in UK education.
Participants will learn how Free/Libre and Open Source Software can significantly reduce
costs and support a sustainable expansion of school IT services, and how
the Open Source paradigm supports exciting new methods of participative learning as well
as broadening inclusion, both locally and internationally.
The speakers bring practical experience of implementing FLOSS in their schools, and
include a governor, headteachers, teachers and technicians, as well as representatives from
Open Source companies serving the education sector. They will explain how FLOSS solutions
can meet educational needs, from budgetary constraints and school administration, to
curriculum requirements and school network infrastructure.
The conference programme can be downloaded
here (PDF)
and includes the now-traditional visit to one of Bolton's famed curry houses on Thursday
evening.
Alongside the conference will be an exhibition of FLOSS
solutions and hardware designed for education, including the
Karoshi school network server system and
Edubuntu server + thin client desktop software.
Bolton TIC also provides plenty of opportunities for participants to gain 'hands-on'
experience of using FLOSS.
The agenda will also include
the AGM of Schoolforge-UK
Space still available for Exhibitors
If you would like to exhibit FLOSS products and services designed for education, please contact Ian Lynch (ian at zmsl.com) as soon as possible.
Travel
The best way to reach Bolton TIC is by car (to Postcode BL4 0HS) and there is ample parking space. Here are the directions and Google map. If you would like to arrange car pooling, please join the Schoolforge-UK discussion list. By other transport, Bolton TIC is 2 miles from Bolton train station, and about 15 miles from Manchester Airport.
Accommodation
Bolton TIC can advise on overnight accomodation which ranges from the Holiday Inn close to M61 Junction 5, to local B&B. Alternatively, visit the Tourist Information Centre website at http://www.visitbolton.com.
Registration
Please write your cheque to 'Bolton Technical Innovation Centre', and post it with your Booking Form (PDF) to:
Julie Astbury
The FLOSSIE Conference 2006
Bolton Technical Innovation Centre
Minerva Road
Farnworth
Bolton BL4 0HS
Tel: 01204 372204, Email: julie.astbury@uktic.org
TICKETS ARE £50 FOR INDIVIDUAL DELEGATES PAID BY CHEQUE IN ADVANCE, OR
£65 IF INVOICED TO SCHOOL OR COMPANY (Note: BTIC is not registered for VAT).