This presentation discusses acceptance models for free and open source software (FLOSS) in education. It describes a conceptual model for factors influencing FLOSS acceptance that was validated through interviews and surveys of teachers. The study found FLOSS is used but not routinely due to lack of knowledge, misconceptions, and perceived barriers. It recommends schools develop FLOSS expertise and policies, and the government improve FLOSS information and support networks to increase adoption.

1. e-Society.Mk 2012 "Open Education for an open
society – let’s share the knowledge!"
Skopje, Macedonia, 14-15th of November 2012
Acceptance models
for Free Software
and other technologies
in education
Prof. dr. Frederik Questier @fquestie
Vrije Universiteit Brussel

2. This presentation can be found at
http://questier.com
http://www.slideshare.net/Frederik_Questier

3. My background

4. Vrije Universiteit Brussel

5. 5

6. Our social responsibility:
how open is the future?

7. 1980's: Stallman defined
“Free Software”
➢ The freedom to
➢ use
➢ study
➢ share
➢ improve
the program
7

8. "The most fundamental way
of helping other people,
is to teach people
how to do things better
or how to better their lives.
For people
who use computers,
this means sharing
the recipes
you use on your computer,
in other words
the programs you run."
8

10. 1998: “Open Source” sounds better
as “Free Software”?

11. The software freedoms
(study, improve)
require access to the source code
Source code: if sales > 100000
bonus = 500
else
bonus = 0
endif
Compiled code: 001001011101010011001100001111011000110
10101100110010101010010100101010101010
001110001101001110001101001110001101001
→ “Open Source Software”
Free Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) 11

13. Wh
at
FL is
OSS inf
lue
by use nci
sc h ng
oo
l s
taf
f?

14. Context
➢ Belgian education is organized by communities
➢ Flanders: Flemish community / ministry of education
➢ Schools & teachers select software
➢ Government supports
➢ ICT coordinators
➢ FLOSS guide book
➢ Few FLOSS trainings
➢ Microsoft contract

15. Research methodology
➢ Interviews
➢ Model conceptualization
➢ Pilot survey
➢ Web based survey
➢ Model validation

16. Basis for conceptual model
➢ Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology
➢ Theory of Reasoned Action
➢ Technology Acceptance Model
➢ Motivational Model
➢ Theory of Planned Behaviour
➢ Combined TAM & TPB
➢ Model of PC Utilization
➢ Innovation Diffusion Theory
➢ Social Cognitive Theory
➢ Innovation diffusion Model

17. UTAUT model

18. Our conceptual model

19. Validated acceptance model for Free
Software in (Flemish) schools

20. Do you think it is desirable
to use FLOSS in education?

21. Which free software
do you use at school?

22. Which free/non-free software
do you use at school?

23. What is your motivation
to use Free Software?

24. What is holding back the
adoption of FLOSS in your school?

25. Conclusions
of the study
➢ FLOSS is being used, but not as a routine
➢ Lack of knowledge
➢ Misconceptions
➢ (Perceived) barriers
➢ Support needed!
25

26. Recommendations
of the study
➢ For (teacher education) schools
➢ Develop FLOSS vision, plan, expertise
➢ Teach students how to share
➢ For government and managing structures
➢ Give central role to ICT-coordinators
➢ Create an expertise network
➢ Improve FLOSS information
➢ Define a FLOSS policy
26

27. DARE
TO SHARE
27

28. Active/Manipulative - Collaborative - Complex - Constructive - Contextualized - Conversational - Intentional - Reflective
Questions? Thank you!
See also http://questier.com
28

29. This presentation was made
with 100% Free Software
No animals were harmed
@fquestie – http://questier.com

30. Copyright acknowledgements
➢ Screenshot http://www.chamilo.org/
➢ http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS7546509093.html
➢ L’associazione studentesca S.P.R.I.Te. http://www.geektees.com/funny-shirts/software-is-like-
sex-its-better-when-its-free-t-shirt/
➢ Cartoon Open Source Fish by openssoft
➢ Question mark CC-by by Stefan Baudy
➢ Flanders in Belgium and the European Union, CC-by by Ssolbergj
➢ OPEN, CC-by-nc-sa by Tom Magliery
➢ Open arrow, CC-by-nd by ChuckCoker
➢ http://www.graphs.net/201208/byod-in-schools-and-companies.html
➢ GNU Head Joseph W. Reiss Free Art License or the GNU GPLv2
➢ Share matches CC-by-nc-nd by Josh Harper