Blog Assignment 2

For my school, they may use a selection form, but I have never seen one. I have only been there one full year, so I do not know if I just missed it, or I have not been there long enough and considered too insignificant to have any input. (That was kind of a joke!) I do know, however, that when we are ordering supplied for the upcoming year, there is a section in which we can order specific software for ourselves. It is where I could order Geometer's Sketchpad and other programs like that, but in terms of having input on an overall software selection, I do not know if we have a form like that. I'm sure we had to at one point simply because we have a bunch of standard software on any computer in the school (at least all of the ones that I have come into contact with, and that has been quite a few). We have the standard Microsoft Office options, and I know that only a few computers/labs have the Microsoft VB software for my programming course. That is a lab license I believe.

In terms of having a process for making certain software standard, it seems like the only logical choice for any company, schools included. Being able to log into any computer in the school and having access to the same word processing program, the same video program, etc, makes everything that much more seemless. Also, for teachers who do a lot of work at home, it makes it easier to transfer files from home to school. For example, if I create a test at home, I know which program to use because I know which program the school has. so I can email it to myself and edit it in my classroom, in the computer lab, on a laptop, etc. It would also be very easy for the technology coordinator to troubleshoot if they are using the same program for each computer. The coordinator would have to be an expert on almost every piece of software unless the school orders a standard license for the whole school. Finally, in terms of cost, I'm sure it is cheapter to order 'in bulk' as opposed to ordering many different types of software. Having a school license for a particular program would be cheaper than ordering ten of a certain program, fifty of another program, etc.