From 558f9feaee46d3f3f47e37d61938e3f435a694b4 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: rsiddharth Date: Sat, 11 Jul 2020 12:15:42 -0400 Subject: Add news/proprietary-apps-in-schools --- md/news/proprietary-apps-in-schools.md | 127 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 127 insertions(+) create mode 100644 md/news/proprietary-apps-in-schools.md (limited to 'md') diff --git a/md/news/proprietary-apps-in-schools.md b/md/news/proprietary-apps-in-schools.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..08e21a1 --- /dev/null +++ b/md/news/proprietary-apps-in-schools.md @@ -0,0 +1,127 @@ + + +# Open letter to KITE: On the use of proprietary apps and services for online classes in schools + +To
+Hon' Minister for Education,
+Govt of Kerala. + +Dear Sir + +Kerala Govt has always been a leader in adoption of Free Software +(free as in freedom) in the country. Most importantly it started with +introduction of Free Software in the schools. Leadership shown by +teacher community in Kerala is also commendable. + +In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the adoption of online +mode of education[1](#fn-1), we found that proprietary +software is being promoted within the educational system. We learned +that official documents by the offices under the Govt. of Kerala calls +for use of proprietary software exclusively for educational +purposes[2](#fn-2). Promotion of proprietary software such +as WhatsApp is particularly problematic on two grounds. It is +explicitly going back from the Government's position to use Free +Software and secondly it promotes a monopoly power. + + +## The WhatsApp Trap + +Many people do not realize the trap of WhatsApp as they only see that +the service is free of cost and everyone around them is using it. One +reason for this is their lack of understanding about the trade-offs +they are making when using WhatsApp. Most people using WhatsApp do not +realize how their data is being collected, stored and analyzed by +WhatsApp. Making our students use this software at a time when they +can not make an informed decision is like a drug dealer providing a +sample pack. The State is creating consumers for a monopoly +business. Use of WhatsApp as the channel to exchange educational +content discriminates against those who would prefer not to use +WhatsApp but other options. WhatsApp is a subsidiary of +Facebook[3](#fn-3) which is infamous for its carelessness +and complete disregard for its user's privacy[4](#fn-4). + + +## Alternates available + +We suggest that Kerala Government adopt free software alternatives +such as which works exactly like WhatsApp from a +user's perspective, but without lock-in to a single company. After +installing the Quicksy app, the user has to provide their phone number +and it is verified by an OTP sent to their phone. It then finds all +users listed in the Quicksy directory matching with the local phone's +address book entries[5](#fn-5). A Quicksy user can +communicate with users of any app or service that uses the XMPP +protocol, not just users of Quicksy app and service. The state +government may easily setup a server on its own and provide this +facility to every student in the state. Apart from Quicksy, there are +other free software alternatives that government may +consider[6](#fn-6). + +## Standards and interoperability + +XMPP is similar to the SMTP protocol used for email and the GSM +standard used to ensure interoperability between mobile service +providers. A mobile subscriber has the option to buy a SIM card from +any service provider and port their number to a different provider +without losing the ability to talk to their existing contacts if they +are unhappy with the service. In the case of WhatsApp, they have no +choice to move to a different messaging service provider if they want +to talk to other WhatsApp users. So, moving away from WhatsApp is +often not a practical option due to this lock-in. In the case of XMPP, +the users can choose their preferred service provider and change it if +they are not happy with a service provider. + +## Recommendations + +We would like make following recommedations to the government. + +KITE under the Department of Education should be directed to setup +free software based e-learning and communication infrastructure for +state government. This can include instant messaging, file-sharing +systems, and e-learning platforms. + +Free software community expertise can be leveraged to setup +infrastructure and train teachers. More than 25 people from the Free +Software community have already volunteered to support the +teachers[7](#fn-7). + +Currently the videos are uploaded only on Youtube and Facebook. KITE +should also consider offering PeerTube as another option, which is +Free Software powered and offers better privacy to users. Additionally +it saves cost of live streaming via KITE website by sharing bandwidth +among the users[8](#fn-8). If needed PeerTube instance at + operated by Free Software Community of India +can be used provided the content is licensed under Creative Commons +license which allows sharing freely. + +It was noted that the teachers who give classes through first bell +program are recommending proprietary services as tools for +communication. This will create confusion for both students and +parents that they might think they are required for the student's +education. This confusion should be prevented. + +A long-term plan for software and infrastructure adoption should be +discussed. This will help to avoid being depended on proprietary +solutions in an emergency as we will be well prepared. Such +discussions, with the adoption of free software solutions, can design +an advanced, inclusive IT-enabled education system. Free Software +Communities can be involved for support and development of such +system. + +## References + +1. + +2. (we have a copy of the document referenced in this article) + +3. + +4. + +5. + +6. + +7. + +8. -- cgit v1.2.3