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Head of the Education Informatization Committee of the Association of Software Developers "Domestic Software", as well as a leading specialist in the educational projects department of the company "Basalt SPO". Specializes in the implementation of modern information technologies in the educational process, contributing to the development of domestic software in the field of education. Experience and expertise in the field of information technology allow us to effectively address issues related to the digitalization of educational institutions and improving the quality of educational services.
Domestic Software: There Are Options
At the beginning of 2022, the situation with software import substitution in Russian educational institutions such as schools, colleges, and universities was quite complex. The main problem was dependence on foreign software solutions, which created risks in the event of political instability and sanctions. In response to these challenges, the Russian authorities began actively working on the development and implementation of domestic software.
The key areas were the creation of alternative educational platforms, learning management systems, and tools for distance learning. However, at that time, many institutions faced a shortage of the necessary software, as well as difficulties in its integration and staff training. It is important to note that successful import substitution requires not only the development of new programs but also the active participation of educational institutions in this process, which includes testing and adapting software to specific needs.
Thus, by the beginning of 2022, Russia was seeing a significant trend toward a transition to domestic software solutions in education; however, this process required time and a comprehensive approach.
The situation with import substitution in education should be considered from two perspectives. On the one hand, it reduces dependence on foreign technologies and materials, thereby facilitating the development of domestic production. On the other hand, the transition to local analogues can cause problems with the quality and availability of necessary resources. It is important to analyze both the positive and negative aspects of this trend to ensure the effective and sustainable development of the educational system in the country.
Large domestic software producers have long been active in the Russian IT market, whose products are in demand both domestically and internationally. These companies include 1C, Garant, Consultant Plus, InfoWatch, Dr.Web, InfoTeKS, Yandex, and others. Their solutions are widely used in various sectors, including enterprises, small and medium-sized businesses, and educational institutions. These software products help optimize business processes and ensure a high level of security and efficiency. Educational institutions, including schools, colleges, and universities, continue to rely predominantly on foreign software. Russian developers find it difficult to compete with large foreign companies such as Microsoft, Adobe, and Oracle. This creates certain difficulties for the implementation of domestic technologies in the educational process. The need to transition to local solutions is becoming increasingly urgent to ensure independence and support the development of the Russian IT sector. The implementation of Russian products faces a number of obstacles. Firstly, this is due to insufficient government support, which limits the opportunities for the development of domestic production. Secondly, many companies prefer to use imported goods, as they are associated with higher quality and reliability. A third factor is the lack of information about Russian products, which leads to consumer mistrust. It's also worth noting that competition from foreign brands creates additional difficulties for Russian manufacturers. All these factors combined slow the introduction and distribution of domestic products in the market. Foreign companies have long established their representative networks in Russia, established partnership programs, and are implementing various educational initiatives. For a long time, educational institutions have enjoyed preferential terms for the use of software, which has facilitated their development and the integration of modern technologies into the educational process. These initiatives help improve the quality of education by providing access to up-to-date resources and tools.
Changing the established work process caused resistance. Import substitution in educational institutions was carried out mainly at the level of experimental projects. Most universities, including large Moscow ones, dismissed the need to transition to Russian software and continue to use foreign solutions to organize their internal infrastructure and implement educational programs. This also applies to promising IT areas crucial for the "Personnel for the Digital Economy" program. Import substitution was viewed as something remote and unimportant, and many continued to convince themselves and others that transitioning to Russian software was impossible. However, given current realities and market demands, ignoring domestic technologies is becoming an increasingly risky move for educational institutions. There are numerous examples of the successful implementation of Russian solutions in the educational process at all levels—in schools, colleges, and universities. These solutions cover various aspects of education, including the digitalization of educational materials, the use of modern technologies, and innovative methodologies. The implementation of such solutions contributes to improving the quality of education, improving interaction between teachers and students, and developing the necessary skills for successful professional work.
"There will be risks in any scenario"
Russian educational institutions rely heavily on imported software products, especially those used in everyday educational activities. The most popular programs include learning management systems, office applications, and specialized software for educational institutions.
Learning management systems, such as LMS (Learning Management Systems), are key for organizing online courses and distance learning, which is especially relevant in today's environment. Office applications, including word processors, spreadsheets, and presentation programs, are also widely used for preparing educational materials and maintaining documentation.
Furthermore, specialized programs for preparing and administering exams, creating tests, and assessing knowledge are becoming indispensable tools for teachers. All of these products significantly impact the quality and accessibility of education, underscoring the importance of finding alternative solutions and developing domestic software for educational institutions. Microsoft software is the most significant dependence of users on mass-market products. The Windows operating system and Office suite have become the standard for several generations of users. This software suite includes not only traditional applications but also cloud services and video conferencing systems. Microsoft continues to be a market leader, offering innovative solutions that meet the needs of modern users. Today, it is possible to replace the familiar software package with Russian operating systems such as Alt, Astra Linux, and RedOS. One example is the Alt Education distribution developed by Bazalt SPO. This product is designed for educational institutions of all levels and includes all the necessary tools for the effective work of schoolchildren, students, and teachers. Alt Education offers specialized educational software that is actively used in the educational process in schools, colleges, and universities. The distribution also includes server components for cloud document storage, an e-learning system, centralized testing, and remote computer management in a secure environment. This approach ensures a high level of data security and supports modern educational technologies.
Domestic office suites, such as MyOffice and R7-Office, are available for installation on Russian operating systems. Users can also take advantage of cloud-based solutions for office suites, enabling collaborative document editing. Videoconferencing options are also numerous, including TrueConf, Videomost, Vinteo, Sferum, Yandex.Telemost, and others. All of these tools are fully compatible with Russian operating systems, ensuring ease of use and high-quality performance.
Consider using open-source videoconferencing software. For example, Jitsi Meet offers both a browser-based version and the option to deploy your own server. If the application's functionality is insufficient, the system can be adapted to the needs of your educational institution. An example of successful customization is the Moscow Institute of Electronics and Mathematics (HSE), which modified Jitsi Meet to meet its specific requirements. Open-source software currently faces certain challenges. While such solutions offer advantages such as transparency and moddability, they also face challenges. One of the main issues is the lack of sufficient support and documentation, making them difficult for less experienced users to use. Furthermore, many open-source projects can suffer from a lack of funding, which impacts their development and updates. Finally, security remains an important consideration, as open-source code can be vulnerable to attack if the community isn't actively engaged in patches and fixes. It's important to consider these aspects when choosing open-source software.
Currently, the situation remains stable; however, many experts are expressing concerns. A key aspect is the need to continue to develop international cooperation among free software developers. It is important to engage students in open source projects, which not only facilitates their learning but also strengthens the developer community. Open source projects provide unique opportunities to share knowledge and experience, which in turn can lead to innovation and improved quality of free software.
Education relies on highly specialized programs that are difficult to replace. This is especially true for engineering design, where imported software solutions predominate. These tools ensure high accuracy and efficiency in project development, and replacing them with similar ones can lead to a decrease in the quality of the educational process and student performance. The use of such software products is a prerequisite for the training of qualified specialists in the engineering field, which emphasizes the importance of integrating foreign technologies into the curriculum.
Specialized software includes professional applications such as VR solutions, design programs, and CAD systems. The assertion that these programs are irreplaceable is incorrect. Russian alternatives are available on the market, developed by companies such as ASCON, Varwin, Nanosoft, and ASSOL. I focus specifically on professional software, as it has long been successfully used by large corporations. This software offers extensive functionality for solving a variety of tasks and has an intuitive graphical interface. Such programs are often described as "monstrous" because they can perform numerous functions and even more. However, educational purposes do not always require using the full range of these programs. Students often find basic functionality sufficient, allowing them to focus on learning the fundamentals and avoid unnecessary complications. Of course, one can encounter the opinion that higher education institutions or colleges are obliged to prepare students to work with the software of world leaders, as they will be dealing with such technologies in their careers. However, current events provide a compelling counterargument. In a rapidly changing labor market and technology environment, it's crucial to consider not only standard approaches to education but also develop skills that will enable students to adapt to new realities. This includes hands-on learning, working with modern tools, and an emphasis on creativity and innovation. Therefore, educational institutions must revise their programs to prepare specialists capable of working effectively in a dynamically changing world.
In today's labor market, those specialists who have mastered not just one, but several products during their education will have an advantage. CAD systems, including both Russian and open-source solutions, are especially important. Multifaceted skills in various design systems allow for increased competitiveness and adaptability in the professional arena.
Students improve their professional skills and increase their chances of employment, while also preparing for work in environments where the use of foreign software is impossible. This not only promotes the development of necessary competencies but also builds self-confidence in challenging situations.
Currently, the risk of losing licenses to use foreign software and access to foreign digital services affects not only Russian universities, which have already been included on sanctions lists, but also many other educational institutions. The international situation and policy changes may lead to universities coming under pressure from sanctions, threatening their operations. This could affect both large universities and lesser-known institutions. Therefore, it is important to monitor legislative changes and take proactive measures to adapt to new conditions to minimize potential consequences for the educational process and research.
We live in an era where risks are becoming an integral part of our lives. The experience of large corporations has demonstrated how even a long-standing and reliable IT infrastructure can be at risk. A situation in which the relationship between the customer and supplier becomes unstable can occur at any time. It's important to recognize that risks are inevitable, and the question is only their quantity and scale. Risks can be mitigated by switching to Russian IT solutions. Software hosted in Russian repositories and catalogs is fully compliant with national jurisdiction. Such solutions are regularly updated and supported by domestic companies that offer reliable technical support and the ability to operate in a secure environment. This will allow educational institutions to increase their security and resilience to external threats.
The risks of complete cessation of support and sale of licenses have already become a reality. Companies like Oracle and RedHat are not present in the Russian market. There are certain risks associated with free software, especially when the copyright holder is a foreign corporation. However, these risks are minimal when the copyright holder is a large developer community, which is typical for GNU-based projects. It is important to consider that using free software can provide greater stability and independence from external factors, which is especially relevant in the current economic climate.
Russian software: solutions for the transition
Teachers at various levels of education can be recommended a number of domestic and free software products that will help improve the learning process.
Among the domestic solutions, it is worth paying attention to the Uchi.ru platform, which offers interactive tasks for students of different ages. Also a useful tool is Foxford, which provides courses and materials for exam preparation.
Among the free programs, we can highlight Moodle, a popular learning management system that allows you to create courses and conduct classes online. OpenBoard is an interactive whiteboard that simplifies the teaching process by providing opportunities for visualizing material.
Furthermore, "Kahoot!" is a gaming platform that allows you to create quizzes and tests, making learning more engaging and interactive. "GIMP" and "Inkscape" can be useful for creating graphic materials in educational projects.
These tools will help teachers diversify the learning process and make it more effective.
On the platform of our committee at the Association, the creation of a catalog of educational programs and initiatives of Russian companies that are part of the ARPP "Domestic Software" is being completed. This catalog presents more than 40 offers, including special license conditions, cooperation programs, as well as information on teaching materials, advanced training and retraining programs. All of these initiatives were developed and successfully tested in schools, colleges, and universities with the participation of domestic IT companies. This resource will become an important tool for the Russian educational community, helping it navigate the range of domestic IT products and accelerating the transition of educational institutions to Russian software that is independent of imports. We recommend considering using this catalog to optimize educational processes and improve the quality of education in Russian institutions.
In Russia, there is a number of critically important foreign software and services in the educational sector for which there are currently no domestic equivalents. It is important to begin developing such solutions urgently to ensure the independence and sustainability of the educational system. These solutions include online learning platforms, learning management systems (LMS), video conferencing and collaboration tools, as well as specialized applications for knowledge assessment and performance monitoring. The development of domestic equivalents will not only improve the quality of education but also protect user data and reduce dependence on external suppliers.
Currently, there is an acute shortage of Russian equivalents to educational web services. Popular online platforms, which have earned the trust and love of teachers due to their convenience and intuitive simplicity, do not provide confidence in the stability of access to their functions in the future. This is unfortunate, as teachers and instructors have been using these resources for years to create interactive activities, educational quests, and posters, as well as quickly create infographics, crosswords, and other useful work materials. It is hoped that Russian EdTech companies will be able to quickly fill this gap by offering high-quality and reliable solutions for the educational process. Educational organizations may face the risk of completely losing the ability to provide distance education. The causes of this risk can be varied: technical failures, internet access issues, a lack of necessary resources, and a lack of qualified specialists. With increasing dependence on digital technologies, it is important to develop strategies to minimize these threats. Providing a reliable technical infrastructure, regular training for teachers and students, and creating backup plans will help maintain the ability to learn remotely and adapt to potential difficulties. Disconnection from the global network will not be an obstacle to distance learning, as the domestic Russian segment will continue to function. Russia has a full range of solutions for ensuring effective distance education, which can be successfully applied in schools, universities, and colleges. However, access to foreign information resources will be limited.
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