Edubuntu in primary schools?

[BeccyBug]

Hi

I'm new to Ubuntu,but just having a thought - I'm a primary teacher, and wondering how children would take to Ubuntu - has anyone trialled this? Thinking of installing edubuntu on one or two spare machines - any pointers?

Thanks

Beccy

[Roger Steiner]

Becky,

I have used Ubuntu since the first release. I am well satisfied with the packages and updates.

Next week I am going to start setting up a system at the local grade school. I copied and burned the CD's and printed the instructions. I will keep you apprised of our progress if you will do the same.

Roger

[hubie]

The kids will learn the GUI very fast. You should see my 3-yr old.

My kids just love GCompris (http://gcompris.net/) and Tux Paint (http://www.tuxpaint.org/). I would also recommend installing Celestia (http://www.shatters.net/celestia/download.html) (don't forget all the great addons (http://www.celestiamotherlode.net/)!).

Basically, there is a lot of great stuff in there, and the kids will have no problem using it and getting around. You definitely give it a shot.

[Sef]

Run the Live CD first for a bit. Make sure that your hardware is compatible with Edubuntu.

[ronnielsen1]

Does edubuntu have a livecd now?

[ratmandall]

Yes.

[Prospero2006]

Here's a blog entry I wrote about how I first used Linux with my students.
I started with one machine. Now I have over 60.

http://www.neisd.net/imak/computerlabpage/history.html

[Pulpie]

Well I would be worried about them screwing up the computers and having to reinstall every 5 minutes. So you will have to be able to lock them out of their own settings and files but still allow them to read them, just not write. It should be easy enough. I wouldn't start them at the command line to soon, personally i think about 6th grade is when the command line should start being learned. Now you have a war though, what GUI system will you use... gnome, kde, xfce, fluxbox, or any others... of course ubuntu uses gnome but most distros use kde from my experience. Good luck with this, I would be happy at that age to learn linux :P

[Prospero2006]

KDE has an app called kiosktool.

I'd love to use gnome, but I haven't figured out how to lock it down.
I've been running 30 student Ubuntu computers now for 2 years, and the kiosktool lockdown has proven itself to be very effective.

[blogzzz]

Surely Ubuntu can replace all those pay-for distros like Windows. You've got Edubuntu, a extra 400MB addon for Ubuntu. So why not? It's simple, and more educational.

[BeccyBug]

If edubuntu is an addon (have downloaded the iso now) can it be run as / with a live cd, or will I need to install it?