FLOSSIE Conference

Free, Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS) for Schools across the UK
Bolton, UK - Schoolforge UK has unveiled the preliminary schedule for its third annual event. With free and open source software use on the rise all across the continent, FLOSSIE is a place for educators, technicians, developers and business people working in free and open source software in UK schools to come together and explore potential of this technology. This year we are focusing on on sustainability and inclusion, one of the key aspects of the Every Child Matters agenda. Registration has just opened for FLOSSIE, which takes place at the Bolton TIC 20th-21st July; early discount pricing is in effect until 1st July. FLOSSIE 2006, introduced by Dr Brian Iddon MP (Member of the Science and Technology Select Committee), includes presentations on classroom, network, schoolwide and national issues around using FLOSS in the UK. There will also be time for more informal exchange of ideas and discussion of the commercial providers available to support schools in using this value for money solution.
"A major challenge is facing our schools, whether they like it or not," observes Schoolforge chair Richard Rothwell. "The huge amount of money available for ICT over the past few years has dried up. Schools now need to
look for sustainable solutions, and as demonstrated in recent Becta reports, FLOSS is the obvious answer."
FLOSSIE brings together a particularly thought-provoking set of innovators, creators, and leaders from across the UK. Some of the participants scheduled to speak about best practices, strategic issues, and coming changes include:
Miles Berry - on Elgg, Moodle and the e-strategy
Leslie Fletcher - Political lobbying to promote FLOSS
Chris Gerry - Managing change
Jo Harris and Paul Sharrad - Karoshi Project
John Ingleby - Ubuntu Linux
Stuart T Johnson - Information management with ClaSS
Sally Lees - a headteacher's perspective
Richard Rothwell - Inclusion and Open Source
Gary Saddlington - experiences from Skegness Grammar
Mark Ellse - Using OpenOffice.org at Chase Academy
David Colven and Steve Lee - Open Source Assistive Technology (OATS) and SEN

FLOSSIE is where educators meet business people, where hallway conversations connect community activists, politicians, developers, and managers, where the people building the future meet the people taking it to the mainstream. Register for FLOSSIE now via the Schoolforge-UK website at http://www.schoolforge.org.uk.
Contact flossie@caliban.org.uk for any further details.

Source: UKUUG