C2K have set up another forum called the Software Advisory Panel (they already have a Primary Users Group set up some years ago, and a Post Primary Users Group set up earlier this year).
The full remit of the group is not clear but it appears to be a panel that will consider software additions and give approval for implementation by C2K. The focus seems intentionally directed away from software via LAN (i.e. new titles or updated versions on the school network) and more swayed towards delivery via LNI or via WAN. (See 1 below). Some netman members may have more detail on the remit.
Both this new panel and the Post Primary User Group would, on the face of it, offer a route for schools to put forward suggestions for the further development of the ICT structures within schools. However these possible paths remain untested. Given the facility provided by ICT itself for greater participation by individual teachers through email, blogs, electronic voting and forums such as this one, I see less need for adherence older mechanisms in which representatives sit around a table. In addition, for any group to claim representation they surely need to construct effect paths for communication with individuals they claim to represent.
What would you want from a Software Advisory Panel or a Post Primary User Group?
(1) There are some examples of application software that is delivered in java applet form as the user demands. Media Blender is an example I have used. It exists as a normal application and also in java format. Using the java version on the web to (say) draw a house can be slow. When you click on the line tool there is a delay as the applet downloads from the Internet before you can use the tool. Bit by bit the code for each tool is delivered. I cannot see major applications that require a lot of lines of code being available in the format for a considerable time.
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