Linux Goes to the Head of the Class

By Jack M. Germain LinuxInsider 03/21/14 2:03 PM PT

One of the most useful parts of Whittum's focus on open source software in schools appears in his second major book division. This is where he discusses the vast curriculum strengths of open source software. Whittum lays out the available software that awaits use in six parts. He covers Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, the Arts and Bible Studies.

Energizing Education through Open Source: Using Open Source Software to Enhance Learning By Christopher Whittum ISBN: 978-1-4834-0444-8 Pages: 144 Price: US$21.95 Available at Lulu.com, Amazon and Barnes & Noble] .

A new book on open source education teaches school leaders and parents why kids need to see coding as more than cool. Energizing Education through Open Source: Using Open Source Software to Enhance Learning by Christopher Whittum makes a strong case for deploying the Linux OS and its academic software in schools.

The step-by-step lessons and free online resources Whittum provides make this book required reading for developing computer-driven curricula and at-home studies. It is part of the STEM Education Coalition's mission to inform federal and state policymakers about the critical role that science, technology and engineering play and the benefits available to schools from open source technology.

Computer systems analyst jobs are projected to grow 22 percent between 2010-2020, according to the United States Department of Education, but only 16 percent of high school seniors are interested in a STEM career. To improve those statistics, computer technology teacher Christopher Whittum asserts that U.S. schools can implement more STEM classes at a lower cost.

Whittum pushes the idea that school districts easily can deploy open source software and the free Linux operating system to provide more affordable options to incorporating technology across the curriculum. His book is a how-to guide on learning open source computer systems through use of Edubuntu Linux and UberStudent Linux.

The challenge to giving schools access to more affordable technology starts with an awareness of open source software. Whittum focuses on using viable alternatives to proprietary software and technologies that dominate school buying decisions.

Whittum presents his rationale for using open source in a building-block fashion in five main sections. Each section is divided into a series of parts. This makes it very easy to see the significant aspects to each step of the open source discovery and selection process.

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Linux Goes to the Head of the Class