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Version confusion!! (the endless upgrade cycle)
So we’re approaching the final sprint of this flexivet project for the e-learning innovations part of the Australian Flexible Learning Framework.
One of our major difficulties has been different versions of office software. Moreland Adult Education uses microsoft office 2007, while PRACE and Carlton NLC use 2003. On top of that, students at Carlton are primarily English as a second language (ESL).. with more urgent needs for simple and accessible language.
Great.
How do we build a shared resource when each organisation has such different needs? We decide to make or find screencasts for multiple versions of each skill set.
Then we find out – here at PRACE – that our tech department has decided to upgrade to microsoft office 2007 next year. Should have seen that coming, eh!! Now Soheir is caught between needing to make screencasts for her current students, and wanting to make resources that are useful into the future.
We’ve decided she’ll make the screencasts for office ‘07.. and we can use them to help staff make the adjustment too.
Okay good.
Then there’s the navigation issues.
On the student site, originally we had thought to organise by skill, and each page (eg how to print) could have multiple applications (eg word ‘03, word ‘07, Open Office etc). But people felt that students would get too confused. It’s hard enough for people just beginning to learn technology to navigate a web site.. we have to make it as simple as possible.
So now we’ve decided to organise the navigation by application.
Still on track, yes.. still getting things done (GTD).
Nervously looks at clock..
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Sounds like you guys are doing a great job. But its also a great commentary on the general mayhem caused by software differences. All you need now is someone to pipe up and ask, “What about my MAC?”
I remember when an org I worked for had Win3x, Win98 and Win2000 systems on variuos PCs scattered about the place. Some had various versions of MS Office. One had Open Office. Some used Internet Explorer, while others used Netscape as their default browser. They had different versions of Windows Media Player (for course), and one person only used WinAmp.
Then, somebody had the idea we should have a professional development session on “computer basics.” Sure, we said… but basic to whose computer?
Nowadays, I just keep a great stack of “for Dummies” and “In Easy Steps” books close at hand.
Hi Wendell, thanks for your message.
So true.. computer labs can become a giant mess of different versions, various apps, conflicting operating systems! It’s a wonder anyone can manage this, letalone literacy students!!
Our tech guy loves the idea of a single “ghost image” which gets loaded on every machine, and then re-loaded when things go pear-shaped.. so they’re all exactly the same. But even that’s not perfect yet.
cheerio, michael