Linux systems for the education sector
Back to School
The fact that Linux and its extensive open source ecosystem are free of charge is really a strong argument for financially strapped schools. This article looks at Linux in the classroom.
Classroom computing is a big topic – and a big market around the world. Teachers and education experts are looking for new ways to delivery curriculum efficiently with maximum benefit for their students. Many of the available education platforms got their start before the widespread acceptance of Linux, which means Windows and Mac OS systems had a big head start on the market. But, open source innovation has opened the classroom doors to Linux. Several specialized Linux distros compete for the chance to serve curriculum to students.
One of the biggest reasons for considering Free software is that it offers lower cost – and sometimes even has no cost. But, FOSS provides other benefits for educational users. For instance, the adaptability and rich diversity of the open source ecosystem leads to an abundant variety of solutions tailored to specific interests and use cases. Also, an open environment reduces the possibility of vendor lock-in, which can lead to reduced choice and unnecessary expense with maintaining and updating the network.
A vast number of Free education-related applications are available for all versions of Linux. You'll find office applications, graphics, and presentation tools, learning tools, multimedia solutions, and a variety of educational games.
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