Opus 2015-382: Should-a-Beens: Cool Free Stuff

Educators have no sense of economics or how business works.  They actually think that things are free.  After all, the nice man said so.

Recently we had a group of teachers sharing all the wonderful toys they learned about at a conference put on by Google for teachers.  They were bubbling over with all the cool applications that could be implemented on the Chrome Books that our district was spending big money on.  So far it sounded good.

They began to share some of these toys with us.  Then the real world begins to butt in.  First of all, away from the intense environment and specially prepared presentations they found it very difficult to access the toys.  When they finally found them, they could not get them to work.  We were told that, in spite of that, they were the answers to all of our teaching needs.  They also failed to notice the little box over on the side that told us how to sign up for a free trial.

They came away thinking everything was simple and free.  In real life it was complicated and expensive.  They think these conferences are given because Google cares about education.  No, they are given to sell Google products and services.  There are millions of teachers across the country.  Our district has already indulged in the kool aid and is working towards having a one-to-one ratio of Chrome Books to students.  $$$.  Chrome books only work in the cloud, giving Google control of my data.  I find that I cannot print from my Chrome book without a printer that is “cloud compatible”.  $$$.  I find that I cannot access things on the Chrome book from my PC.  $$$.

So when you vote more money for education, rest assured that the major corporations are already lined up with their wallets out.  They are taking, not giving, unless it is to prime the pump.  This is not an indictment of business.  They are the reason for much of the progress we have.  They supply jobs and opportunities for millions.  I do not begrudge them their profits or success.

My problem is with teachers and school boards that think all of this is free.  It is a long way past time to grow up.

homo unius libri