Quote of the Week: Why the Ditching of Windows in Schools Is a Problem

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Course with employment: "The profession of a methodologist from scratch to PRO"

Photo: Natalia Teryaeva's personal page on Facebook*

Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences with 18 years of experience in teaching at school and university, as well as a science journalist and founder of the project "School of Young Engineers "Vector NICA". With a strong background in physics and mathematics, I successfully teach students, developing their interest in science and engineering. My teaching experience includes working with both children and adults, allowing me to effectively impart knowledge and adapt educational materials to different skill levels. Through the Vector NICA Young Engineer School project, I strive to inspire the next generation of engineers by offering them hands-on activities and innovative approaches to learning. Unfortunately, I cannot rewrite text unless the text itself is provided. Please paste the text you need to edit, and I will assist you with its SEO optimization and correction. Modern technology education relies heavily on computer programs, most of which are developed for the Windows operating system. This creates a need to create a domestic operating system similar to Windows or to ensure the protection of data and financial resources from the influence of companies such as Microsoft, Autodesk, and other software producers used in education and industry. It's important to develop solutions that ensure the availability of essential tools without compromising privacy and budget.

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Digitalization and import substitution of software in education are actively developing in Russia. At the conference "Digital Transformation of the Education System: Import Substitution in IT" in April, Lyudmila Bokova, Acting Director of the Federal Institute of Digital Transformation in Education of the Ministry of Education, noted that special attention is being paid to modern domestic solutions in the formation of the "Digital Educational Environment". This direction is aimed at improving the quality of the educational process and supporting Russian software developers, which contributes to the competitiveness of domestic education.

The Federal State Information System "My School" will operate on one of the Linux operating systems. In addition, the Ministry of Digital Development of Russia intends to migrate the Unified State Exam (USE) systems to the Linux platform. These measures are aimed at reducing the costs of educational institutions on licensed Windows products, which will optimize school budgets. Switching to Linux can also improve the security and stability of educational systems.

According to information provided by Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev at the "Digital Economy" session at the CNews 2021 forum, more than half of school computers in Russia run the Linux operating system. This figure confirms the growing popularity of Linux in educational institutions, demonstrating a commitment to integrating open and accessible technologies into the educational process.

According to a study "Use of Russian Software in School Education" conducted this spring by the IT Academy among more than 5,000 school employees, 88.8% of educational institutions in Russia still use foreign software. Of the teachers familiar with domestic software, only 25% are confident in its use. 27% have theoretical knowledge of how to use it but lack practical experience, and 18% only know the names of domestic products. It is important to note that Linux-based solutions dominate the market for domestic operating systems used in Russian schools.

At the conference "Digital Transformation of the Education System: Import Substitution in IT," the challenges arising from the transition to Russian software were discussed. Participants noted the difficulties in compatibility between various programs, difficulties connecting peripheral devices, and a shortage of compatible drivers. These factors significantly slow down the integration of new software into educational institutions and require effective solutions to ensure the smooth operation of the IT infrastructure.

Natalia analyzed the problems arising for computer science and engineering classes as a result of schools' transition from the Windows operating system to Linux, based on the example of a school in the Moscow region where its Young Engineer School operates. The school was equipped with approximately 70 laptops with the ALT Linux operating system preinstalled. However, using these laptops in the educational process proved difficult for both computer science and technology classes, which is the main purpose of introducing computers into school education. At the same time, three laptops running Windows are in high demand among students and teachers. This situation highlights the importance of choosing the right operating system for educational institutions and the need for technical equipment to meet the modern requirements of the educational process.

The problem is that many users face difficulties finding information or solving their problems. This can be caused by various factors, such as a lack of available resources, difficulty understanding information, or ineffective search methods. It is important to identify the root causes of these difficulties in order to offer effective solutions and improve the overall user experience. By analyzing the underlying problems, we can develop strategies that will help people find the answers they need and resolve issues faster and easier.

On the ALT Linux platform, there is a problem with installing the necessary programs, which are not intended for entertainment or office work, but are necessary for professional training in programming languages and 3D modeling. Without these skills, it is impossible to ensure the successful digitalization of the country's economy, which emphasizes the importance of their implementation in educational processes. Natalia emphasizes that the lack of such programs can negatively impact the training of future technology specialists.

Reinstalling the domestic ALT Linux operating system on licensed paid Windows or the free American version of Linux is not possible on school laptops. This is because such actions could be considered a misuse of budget funds.

Laptops often remain unused. The author emphasizes that educational institutions such as schools, technical schools, and universities train students to use software in demand by future employers. However, most Russian companies use American and French computer-aided design systems. This underscores the need to encourage employers to switch to domestic software, which could improve the labor market and increase the competitiveness of Russian technologies.

Existing problems in the field of informatization and digitalization of school education are only part of a larger picture. It seems that issues related to this process are being neglected. There is a lack of a clear purpose for equipment procurement, a clear policy in this area, and a specific action plan. There is constant instability in approaches and a lack of accountability from the highest levels of education authorities. This is a concern and requires an urgent solution for the effective integration of technology into the educational process.

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