Press Release: Open Source Software Opening Educational Doors in Appalachia
For Immediate Release
Elizabeth McIntosh
eliz.mcintosh@gmail.com
(828) 649-9276 ex. 229
Open Source Software Opening Educational Doors in Appalachia
MADISON COUNTY, N.C., March 13, 2014 – The Partnership for Appalachian Girls’ Education (PAGE) announces today that it will use open source technology alternatives Kdenlive and Blender to document and edit their digital stories. Historically, PAGE participants used Final Cut Pro in the digital learning lab, but these open source alternatives offer a good user experience, “without the heavy scale-up costs associated with non open-source solutions.”
As with most non-profits, PAGE faces funding challenges as it aims to fulfill its mission of delivering innovative and out-of-school learning opportunities for adolescent girls and young women in Appalachia. And as PAGE continues to grow, the heavy scale-up costs associated with software such as Final Cut Pro is hindering PAGE from fulfilling its mission. Therefore, open source alternatives allow the students to rapidly learn the technology but at a price that everyone can afford.
“Creating a digital learning lab can be a costly task, especially in an economically distressed region such as Madison County, North Carolina. Open source has made educational opportunities possible for Appalachian girls, opening doors wider than would be otherwise possible and helping to spread the mission of the Partnership for Appalachian Girls’ Education.”
Read the whole article: http://opensource.com/education/14/3/open-source-opening-educational-doors-appalachia
More about PAGE:
PAGE was founded to promote 21st century educational opportunities, social equity and economic opportunity for Appalachian girls and young women. Its goal is to help adolescent girls in rural Appalachia enjoy success while they are in middle and high school and create futures that include graduation and college. The program offers mentoring to help girls envision pathways from middle school to college and a career, and a digital learning lab that melds one of the oldest Appalachian traditions—storytelling—with 21st century skills. With the girls’ rich heritage of ballad singing and storytelling, digital stories can introduce them to the world of technology while linking this world to their rich past. The PAGE digital learning lab allows these girls to embrace new technology as they find their voices in a wider world. For more about PAGE and to watch some of the girls’ stories, visit the PAGE’s website: http://www.carolinapage.org.