Developing an Open Source project is complicated, not only because the technology is untested and supported by volunteers (instead of paid engineers), but because it is not possible to predict how future development of the software will proceed.
Open Source advocates often want to “stick, shaft, burden” our school districts with “free software.” And, they tout the benefits of “without charge software licensing.” Of course, this argument is shortsighted and wrong, but it holds sway with school district decision makers who don’t know any better.
It is up to the Open Source developers to ensure that the user experience is seamless and positive. It is not Microsoft’s responsibility to adjust to the chaotic and “wild west” Open Source environment, but it is the Open Source community’s responsibility to set standards and bring development under control.
Open Source thinking is the power behind Open Source Solutions. But this “Open” kind of thinking involves stretching our perceptions and expanding our concepts of what Open Source is. (For sure, Open Source Thinking is “not what we think.” Open Source Thinking is what “We’all (we all) think.”
What is needed is the understanding that changing how teachers teach and how teachers use technology for instruction is the crucial (independent) variable, and that the operating system that is installed is a minor player (dependent variable) in the technology integration game.
So, when we know exactly what advantages Open Source offers to school district stakeholders, and when we identify exactly who these stakeholders are, when we determine their needs, when we communicate the benefits of the products that we recommend, and when we support those products…then we are doing the marketing job that needs to be done.
Promoting Open Source Solutions requires a marketing plan.
Here is an outline that you can use to develop that plan.
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Structure your proposals and offers so that all risk is taken away from the decision-maker. Make it easy for decision-makers to say, “Yes,” to your proposal.
Here are the questions. Don’t leave any question unanswered. In fact, think of more questions to add to these.
The time you spend answering these questions will be returned to you, both in time that you didn’t waste and money that you didn’t squander.
Of course, the key is to be able to show real student improvement data where the improvement is the direct result of projects and programs that relied on Open Source Solutions. (No “could be,” “if only,” or “we believe” here; but real-world, honest, matter-of fact, instructional delivery and student outcome results.)