MANAGING ICT To pay or not to pay


and that we could put our own stamp on. I have found that with some open source solutions it can take a great deal of time, knowledge and technical understanding to get the most out of the system’s functionality. Technical expertise will define the agility of the


system, but schools need any solution to become part of the school’s fabric – integrating into all parts of the school community. They need something flexible that they can own and


get excited about.


Ownership Ownership is an important feature with our learning platform. We have paid a one-off cost for our platform, which has its own server in the school. We are not at the mercy of other suppliers with hosting and/or subscription costs. We own the data which stays with the school regardless of where our learning platform journey takes us. We do pay an annual managed service fee which


gives us additional support and upgrades to the system every time our provider releases a new version. Knowing that we simply have those two costs to pay for helps with our budgeting for the school year by knowing we do not have any additional hidden expenditure. With open source, you will often find that the


developer or technician ends up owning the solution rather than the school, unless the school has a very strong IT vision. Our learning platform has really brought the whole school together – particularly in involving parents and the wider community. You will find that a school that invests in a learning


platform is also more likely to embed it into all elements of the school community. It is common that financial commitment becomes a driver in schools. To achieve best value, schools will work hard to ensure the learning platform is embedded and has a credible impact on student outcomes.


Flexibility and creative control Our learning platform allows teachers to create their


own media-rich resources – regardless of their technical ability. Allowing teachers to create their own learning resources and take control of their own teaching and learning empowers them, rather than forcing something upon them.


Future-proofing


Future-proofing our investment is extremely important for Costello. Technology moves so quickly now and we need something that develops with these advances. Our learning platform allows us to keep up with


these changes and build on what we have – evolving with the industry as well as the school’s needs. An open source product can quickly become out-of-date if internal developments cease.


The hub of the school


Our learning platform provider, for example, has launched a new Widget Store, not dissimilar to Apple’s App Store. Teachers, pupils and even parents can access information from across the web and download technology such as YouTube videos, games and learning resources directly onto their dashboard on their learning platform. It has become the hub of our school. For the more technically minded, we can even create


our own applications within the learning platform. We have created our own specific systems and


processes such as our house system and management portal. The developer platform and API (application programming interface) are opening up endless opportunities. More essential than cost, is the actual functionality


of the learning platform. It is imperative that this is the defining element rather than cost in isolation.


Further information


• References within Ian Usher’s article can be found at http://j.mp/sec-ed-lp-os


• Costello Technology College in Basingstoke uses the Frog learning platform. For more information, visit www.frogtrade.com


SecEd


Protect your financial health


Wesleyan for Teachers offer a range of specially structured protection products.


to schools in England, without having to recreate them anew. In Australia, Brazil, the US, Sweden, South Africa,


Finland and all around the world, a community of learning teachers and educationalists can (and are) shaping the way in which new pedagogies are developing across the globe. Some, like the Open University, London School of Economics and hundreds of huge institutions (9) invest time, money and resource in Moodle knowing that this will feed back into its global community of users as well as benefiting their own. Others – small primary schools, voluntary


organisations, faith groups, individuals – teach and innovate using the same tool on a more organic scale. Both ends of the scale contribute to and gain


from a global project that is open in all senses of the word. Whether you buy into the latest government strategy (10) or not, most people would agree that this constitutes a pretty Big Society.


Service provider


Dominic Tester, assistant head Costello Technology College, Hampshire


The clear distinction to make here is that open source software does not necessarily mean it comes without


SecEd • June 16 2011


a cost. Having used both an open source learning platform previously, and paying for one at the school where I work now, I would say that every school pays for its learning platform one way or another – regardless or whether they opt for an open source solution or not. The costs are usually hidden through HR and salary, time and/or training, and sometimes hosting. What is great about our learning platform at Costello


Technology College is that it is so easy to use. To really unlock the potential of an open source solution the school would often need to pay for a technician to develop and maintain the learning platform to secure the school’s vision. With ours, just about anyone can use it – encouraging distributed leadership and management in the school.


What’s right for your school


It is easy for a school to look at the initial purchase cost and make a snap decision based on expense. Technology supporting learning forms an important part of our long-term vision at Costello. It was essential that our decision was carefully considered with functionality and impact on learning being top priority, the total cost of ownership was a consideration alongside a full cost benefit analysis. We needed something that could evolve and grow with the school, something that would fit our context


Protection for you and/or your family


• Income Protection is designed to provide sufficient income should sickness or an accident prevent you from working.


• Mortgage Protection is designed to pay off your mortgage in the event of your death.


• Critical Illness Cover pays out a lump sum if you suffer a specified illness.


• Life Assurance is designed to pay any debts and perhaps to leave an additional lump sum to ease the financial burden on your dependents should you die.


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quoting reference 60565 and arrange a no-obligation personal review and receive


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* Terms & conditions: For any teacher or related profession booking a no-obligation financial review by 31 July 2011. Offer based on one voucher per person and only one appointment can be booked during this particular promotion. No purchase is necessary. No alternative is available. Employees of Wesleyan are excluded. If a meeting is cancelled you will not be entitled to the voucher. You will be required to complete and return a confirmation card after your first meeting and a £20 Marks and Spencer voucher will be sent to you within 14 days of the confirmation card being received by Wesleyan for Teachers.


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