k12comp index

This was prompted by the recent Slashdot.org editorial on the subject: http://slashdot.org/features/9804211015223_F.shtml

I think that, if we get together, we can do things that will make a difference. The problems many of our schools have can be traced to ignorance and fear; if we can get some information to teachers about things that work in some schools, if we can demonstrate positive results from some actions and negative results in others, we can overcome their ignorance and fear.

There are certain ground rules for this list:

• Please, don't flame people personally in public. If you think someone's ideas are stupid, you can say so (although I'd rather you phrased it more politely than that!), but if you think someone is stupid, I may kick you out. (Of course, you're free to go start your own list!)
• Complaints are OK -- we'll have to figure out what's wrong before we can fix it! Again, though, say that your school's policies are idiotic (or misguided), or that your librarian fails to apply her rules fairly -- not that your school administrators are toad- faced human spittoons, or that your librarian is a selfish, half-Neanderthal Nazi bitch.
• Constructive suggestions for improvement are much more useful.
• Posting pointers to neat things you're doing is good, if they're related to computers in K-12 education.
• Posting off-topic stuff is frowned upon. Sometimes conversations drift off-topic, which is mildly bad. Sometimes people start conversations off-topic (e.g. MAKE MONEY FAST), which is likely to get them booted from the list or worse.
• Don't cuss.
• Don't post messages bigger than about 10K.

Other information:

• Everything posted to the list is public. It will be permanently and publicly archived and everyone in the world will be able to read it. This includes your parents; it may include your children if you have some (now or in twenty years). Moderate your posts accordingly.
• This is mostly about computers in K-12 education in the USA, but info about developments in other countries is likely to be interesting. Still, I think most of the problems we're running into are particular to the USA.
• I'm on a 14.4K dynamic-IP line. This means that your mail may get delayed for hours, bounced, silently lost, etc. Offers of better hosting will be gratefully accepted.
• I'll be maintaining a FAQ at http://www.pobox.com/~kragen/k12comp/faq.html.
• This document lives at http://www.pobox.com/~kragen/k12comp/.

Kragen Sitaker mailto:kragen@pobox.com