Education for a Digital World Advice, Guidelines and Effective Practice from Around Globe, 2008a

8 – Exploring Open Source for Educators: We’re Not in Kansas Anymore – Entering OS
Conclusion
“I’ve got a way to get us in there, and you’re gonna
lead us”. – Scarecrow, The Wizard of Oz (Langley,
1939)
Ultimately, no one can tell you that open source or free
software is better for you than your current proprietary
and/or commercial products. Just like the journey to Oz,
your journey to Os should be one of self-discovery. If
you do hire a consultant, don’t imagine you can handoff
the work and expect someone else to make a decision.
People in your group or institution need to participate
actively in that process. Open source and free
software are constructivist theory in action, with the
spirit of collaboration, and trickle-up thinking. If you
want to adopt freely sourced software, if you want it
embedded in your organizational culture, that culture
may need to shift to embrace these values. You’ve already
taken the first step: you’ve begun to educate yourself
about your options. If you have a colleague or two
with a similar interest, share this information with them.
Like Dorothy, only you can find your way to Os and
back, but remember that Dorothy had the Lion, the Tin
Man, and the Scarecrow to help. There are lots of people
out there ready and willing to help you—many of them
for free! Imagine that.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank two gentlemen for their support of
this chapter—Phil Rees for his contributions to “Meeting
the Wizard & His Machines: Investigating Freelysourced
Alternatives”, and as always, I would like to thank
my husband, Arnie Hengstler, without whose support I
would be unable to do the many things I do.
Julia E.W. Hengstler
Saltspring Island, British Columbia, Canada
May 2007
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