FLOSSIE 2009
From Schoolforge-UK
Contents |
Sustainable ICT in Schools - Beyond the PC
- Birmingham 12th-13th February 2009
Free, Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS) is becoming much more important to education in the UK. Here are some recent developments:
- Sirius's open source solution included in the 'Software for Educational Institutions Framework';
- the huge influx of EeePCs and similar sub-notebooks into the classroom - running GNU/Linux and OpenOffice.org;
- QCA's accreditation of theINGOTS - a qualification in open technologies from The Learning Machine;
- Becta's funding of the Schools Open Source Project.
This year's conference will look to the future, and how FLOSS can improve the outcomes for learners while providing better return on investment for the organisation.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Gareth Davies, Immediate Past Chair of Naace
- Simon Phipps, Chief Open Source Officer at Sun Microsystems
- Garry Saddington ICT, co-ordinator of Skegness Grammar School
- Mark Taylor, CEO at Sirius.
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 Free and Open Source approaches in UK education. Participants will learn how Free, Libre and Open Source Software can allow them to implement sustainable school ICT services, expanding ICT provision while controlling costs.
The speakers bring practical experience of implementing FLOSS in their schools, and include senior educationalists, teachers and technicians, as well as representatives from Open Source companies serving the education sector. They will explain how FLOSS solutions can provide sustainable educational solutions, covering the curriculum needs of your learners, the school network infrastructure and reaching out into the wider community.
The draft conference programme will be published soon, and will include a visit to a restaurant in Birmingham's China Town on Thursday evening. The conference will start at noon on Thursday 12th February and finish early afternoon of the Friday.
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. There will also be a opportunity to have a free INGOT assessor training session.
The agenda will 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 Richard Rothwell (richardr at schoolforge.org.uk) as soon as possible as there is only a limited space remaining.
Travel
The BVSC is accessible by train, bus or car. It is a few minutes walk from Birmingham's New Street and Moor Street stations. Parking is available for a few pounds per day in the Digbeth area. The coach station is also in Digbeth.
Accommodation
There is a wide range of accommodation available in Birmingham, with room rates starting at under £25 a night.
Registration and Contacts
Registration is available at the early bird rate of £70 through Paypal for individuals or invoiced to schools or businesses at the full rate £85.
For further details please contact Richard Rothwell
Tel: 0845 8689878, Email: richardr at schoolforge.org.uk
