ONLINE K-12 EDUCATION ENHANCEMENTS: MEASURING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF IMPLEMENTING THE EDUBUNTU LINUX OPERATING SYSTEMS IN GRADES 6TH - 8TH MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES THROUGH DESKTOP VIRTUALIZATION

S. WILLIAMS (1) and M.E. DAWSON (2). (1) Colorado Technical University, Colorado Springs,4435 N Chestnut St., Colorado Springs, CO 80907, (2) Jones International University, 9697 East Mineral Avenue, Centennial, Colorado, 80112.

Abstract This research approach will measure the overall

effectiveness of implementing the Edubuntu Linux based Operating System (OS) for educational purposes in grades 6th - 8th middle schools through desktop virtualization. Grades 6th - 8th middle schools are faced with the challenges of outdated technologies, and limited resources, as there is a disproportionate amount of hardware, software and printer devices for the students. The possibilities of using virtualization for online and on ground environments could change the face of education in not just K-12 but higher education as well.

Associated Research• Dawson, M., Al Saeed, I., Wright, J., & Onyegbula, F. (2014) Open Source Software to

Enhance the STEM Learning Environment. Encyclopedia of Education and Technology. • Dawson, M., Al Saeed, I., Wright, J., & Omar, M. (2013). TECHNOLOGY ENHANCED

LEARNING WITH OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS. INTED2013 Proceedings, 5583-5589..

• Dawson, M., Wright, J., & Abramson, J. (2013). TRANSFORMING INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION WITH VIRTUALIZATION. ICERI2013 Proceedings, 2679-2682.

• Wright, J., & Dawson, M. (2013). IMPORTANCE OF INTEGRATING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RELATED CURRICULUM IN AMERICAN INNER CITY SCHOOLS. INTED2013 Proceedings, 5666-5672.

• Dawson, M., Wright, J., & Abramson, J. (2013). OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE TO TEACH TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONCEPTS AND PRACTICES. ICERI2013 Proceedings, 2637-2639.

• Wright, J., & Dawson, M. (2013). IMPORTANCE OF INTEGRATING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RELATED CURRICULUM IN AMERICAN INNER CITY SCHOOLS. INTED2013 Proceedings, 5666-5672.

• Dawson, M. E., & Al Saeed, I. (2012). Use of Open Source Software and Virtualization in Academia to Enhance Higher Education Everywhere. Cutting-edge Technologies in Higher Education, 6, 283-313.

• Dawson, M., Burrell, D., & Emanuel, W. (2011, March). Utilization of e-learning tools, virtual machines, & open source software to enhance graduate systems engineering Programs. In Global Learn (Vol. 2011, No. 1, pp. 2088-2091).

Edubuntu

Edubuntu

Child Monitoring

Alternatives

Lubuntu

Scenario of VM Environment

Hypervisors

Linux Distributions and Uses

Fedora Spins and Uses

SourceForge

Key Terms