"This is an excellent guest post by Scott Rowed on the use of
Linux in K-12 schools, including strong evidence that school
districts that do not have students using the Linux operating
system are placing their students at a disadvantage, as well as a
description of one outstanding success story in British
Columbia.
"What computer operating system should students learn at school?
Most schools use MS Windows or Mac, but a number have switched or
are in the process of switching to Linux. For schools the
advantages are lower costs, greater security, no viruses or
spyware, easier upgrades and better reliability. Lastly, there are
very few licensing hassles or concerns about pirated software.
"What about the students? One of the arguments frequently
presented in favour of Windows is that students should learn on the
systems they will be using after they graduate. But the computer
world is changing rapidly, and it is difficult to determine if
Windows will still dominate computer desktops to the extent it does
today. More importantly, Windows in 2015 will almost certainly look
different than Windows 7."
