Pad Link: https://pad.disroot.org/p/educationfreesoftware
I have a proposal to slightly change the flavor of the article about the educational institutes that we were discussing.
The new idea is to write a short and precise article to catch attention and link to GNU articles and their directory https://www.gnu.org/software/free-software-for-education.html. The main reason to write the article then is to take a stand on the issue and write in Indian context.
I would like to request for suggestions on how can we give Indian context to the article. If you find a reference better than https://www.thehindu.com/education/ground-zero-gre-and-the-network-of-aspirants-ghostwriters-and-coaching-institutes/article33532981.ece of proprietary proctoring software being used by educational institutes, then please add it in the pad.
Below is the zeroth rough draft.
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Title: Educational Institutes should use software that respects freedom
We urge educational institutes to use only free software for teaching so that the students do not have to give away freedom and privacy. In general, any computer user should use free software for their freedom but educational institutes have additional reasons to insist only on free software https://www.gnu.org/education/edu-schools.html. Their choice of proprietary software is forced upon students taking away their privacy. It is their moral responsibility to respect students' freedom and privacy.
The GNU website lists free software that can be used in schools and educational institutions of all levels. https://www.gnu.org/software/free-software-for-education.html. The Free Software Foundation keeps a comprehensive database of educational software at the Free Software Directory https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Category/Education.
In the pandemic time, we saw educational institutes switching to online mode for teaching. Unfortunately, they have chosen proprietary software to do the job. Remote education does not require giving up rights to freedom and privacy https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/remote-education-does-not-require-giving-up-rights-to-freedom-and-privacy. Many instructors [require students to install proprietary proctoring software in their own devices]https://www.thehindu.com/education/ground-zero-gre-and-the-network-of-aspirants-ghostwriters-and-coaching-institutes/article33532981.ece which is a very unjust practice in itself. It is shameful that the article does not criticize the main issue-requiring students to install proprietary proctoring software in students' own computer. Such invigilation software, by design, runs even when the owner of the computer tries to stop it from running long after the exam is finished and takes full control of the computer which subjects users to abuse. Software whose functioning mistreats the user is called malware and such a proctoring software is a malware as many other proprietary programs are https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/.
Free Software Recommendations
Jitsi and BigBlueButton can be used to conduct live classes https://fsf.org.in/article/better-than-zoom. The Jitsi instance <vc.autistici.org> allows you to live stream lectures without use of any proprietary software and record lectures and download them in your device without use of any proprietary software.
Even important announcements (exam dates, change of schedule) are communicated through WhatsApp. A student either joins the WhatsApp group or misses everything. Element, Quicksy or Conversations app can be used as an instant messenger because they respect user's freedom and privacy https://fsf.org.in/article/better-than-whatsapp/.
Educational institutes can send email for announcements because students won't be forced to use any proprietary software or any specific service provider. PeerTube can be used to live stream lectures or uploading recorded lectures.
Some JRF scholarships in India have a provision to provide laptops to students. We recommend that the college and the students choose laptops which can run fully free software https://ryf.fsf.org/products.
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